new bugs by lee m. field · 2015. 10. 6. · bugs (aka infestation) by lee m. field lee m. field...
TRANSCRIPT
BUGS
(aka Infestation)
By
Lee M. Field
Lee M. Field (C) 2015 Lee M. Field
317 East 8th Street
Rome, GA 30161
(706) 233-2904
OVER BLACK
“Only the dead have seen an end to war" Plato
INT. ROOM - NIGHT
A group sits in shadows, a large TV on the wall. A man, the
SPEAKER, inserts a thumb drive into a USB Port. On Screen
Pops the image of Wasps and other insects.
SPEAKER
These are our new soldiers.
The WASP hovers over a group of insurgents with guns.
SPEAKER (V.O.)
Engineered, so we can see what they
see, hear what they hear.
Adjusting volume the S/O men talking.
SPEAKER (V.O.)
Covert surveillance, cut power,
destroy equipment, Knock out
miss1es.
Ants enter vehicles exhaust pipes, causing them not to
crank. Power winks out in buildings. Flies hurdle into
missiles making them veer out of control.
SPEAKER (V.O.)
Kill the enemy. Even turn him
against his own troops.
A mosquito lands on a mans arm, he then convulses and dies.
Then wasp stings another soldier, later the soldier gets up
and kills his comrades.
SPEAKER
The Wasps are parasites. They
inject their larvae into hosts,
then the young secrete a venom that
controls behavior. Bending it to
it’s, our will.
Stunned silence, close on a hand holding a glass of Brandy.
The lights come up, the man with brandy is reveled, this is
Senator RALPH HARKIN 70’S CHAIRMAN OF DEFENSE. A seasoned
politician, he speaks with air of distinction and caution.
We get the feeling this is secret meeting. The Speaker
remains in the shadows.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
HARKIN
How did you do this.
SPEAKER
Through our own, hive mentality.
HARKIN
What?
SPEAKER
Cell phones. A study showed Cells
were disrupting Bee and insect
behavior, even killing them. We
tapped into this and reversed the
process. Now they are part of our
hive.
A long silence, there’s more, but we don’t know what is yet.
HARKIN
You lost a boy in war, didn’t you
Frank?
The Speaker steps from the shadows, this GENERAL FRANK
PIERCE (50’s).
FRANK
Yes sir I did.
EXT. HWY - DAY
On the road, a black unmarked SEMI TRUCK travels along at a
steady pace approaching a mountain range.
INT. SEMI - DAY
In the bed of the truck, Two technicians monitor computer
consoles and a large glass cage, shrouded in dry ice.
EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE - DAY
The semi climbs a steep grade. In the tree line near by, a
hooded figure holds an explosive detonator. The truck comes
into view. KABOOM! boulders come crashing down into the SEMI
sending it over the cliff.
3.
INT. SEMI - DAY
Inside the bed, a Tech lies unconscious, the other injured
but awake. Desperately he looks for his cell phone. He
punches in a number, we hear it dialing. From ahead of him,
in the glass cage comes the sound of a low buzzing.
An answer CLICK on the phone. The Tech Screams
TECH
Ultimate One Over?!
Some time passes, the Tech wakes up scared and sweating he
looks terrible. He stands and gathers some dangling
electrical wiring and ties his partner up. He then threads
the cord through the exposed beam and hoists the man upside
down.
Close on the hanging man’s arms. We see movement under the
skin, like something crawling around inside.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
We are rolling and tumbling through the air. Everything
around us is a giant, flowers, leaves. We fly up a tree and
to a branch with a huge web. A spider sits in it. Then A
Wasp zooms in and stings Spider.
Close on her stinger, the venom is full of Wasp Larvae. The
Spider is now their host.
Hours pass, the spider is still motionless where the wasp
left it. Then suddenly, Wasp larvae secrete from the Spiders
belie. The Spider then quickly cocoons them.
EXT. ANT MOUND - DAY
The Queen Wasp lands on the entrance to the mound and crawls
inside.
INT. ANT MOUND - DAY
It’s cramped but she deftly moves through the maze of Ant
tunnels and chambers. The Queen Ant confronts her, but the
Wasp is quicker. She stings the Ant Queen. The process we
saw with the Spider is repeated.
4.
EXT. POND - DAY
A small stagnate pool that Mosquitoes lay their eggs in. The
Wasp intrudes and hovers above it then lowers it’s stinger
into the water. It secretes the venom that floats over the
mosquito eggs. It’s job done the Wasp flits away.
INT. LAND ROVER - DAY
A Man sits behind the steering wheel. We’ll get to know him
as ABDUL EL RABAT (50’s) IRAQI, he has an air of
intelligence and sophistication. He watches his phone on as
the Queen Wasp takes over each nest. Like a coach at a
football game he verbally gives instructions.
ABDUL
Now you must move to the animals.
On Screen we see a pair of wolves running. The image is
disjointed like how an insect would view the world. We zoom
in fast to the wolves.
LATER
EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE - DAY
Pristine mountain woodlands, a hunters paradise. The High
country of Alaska.
Through this open wilderness walks ROB DAVIS (40’S) fit, a
rifle slung over his shoulder. His cell phone rings,
checking the caller ID it reads WORK DEIZE.
Rob smiles and answers in comic familiarity.
ROB
Buenus Nochas Senorita.
DEIZE (V.O.)
It’s Senora stupid.
ROB
What’s up?
DEIZE (V.O.)
I’m gonna be a bit late this
morning.
ROB
No worries I’m playing a little
hooky myself, see you bout nine.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
DEIZE (V.O.)
(teasing)
Thank you SENOR Sheriff.
A playful grin from Rob as he hangs up.
Returning to his morning hunting trip he walks on, when he
sees a Buck foraging. He crouches aiming his gun.
THEN
A loud buzzing noise, it spooks the Buck.
ROB
Damn.
FROM BEHIND
A growl, low and menacing. Turning, there is wolf, mangy
looking with large pustules. It ready to strike.
ROB
(quietly)
Easy girl.
He places finger on trigger, hoping not to fire. The wolf
lunges at him. With a loud crack, the rifle discharges
killing the wolf.
ROB
Shit.
Smelling something, he steps through through the brush to
investigate. On the ground another dead wolf, it is
emaciated with welt marks. The fur strangely matted and
sticky.
SUPER HICKORY ALASKA
EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY
An isolated town cut off from the rest of the world by a
thousand miles of wilderness. A Throw back to the 1960’s a
post office, small doctors clinic and a bank. One long main
street lined with small businesses.
Rob wheels his jeep, up to ranch style cinder block building
marked SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. Stepping from vehicle, he
notices Ants filing towards the office.
6.
INT. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT - DAY
A small affair, two desks and a holding cell. An old style
dispatch radio in the corner. DEIZE RODRIEGEZ (30’s)
Hispanic, Rob’s secretary and dispatcher sits talking on her
phone.
DEIZE
(into phone)
I tell you de was terrorists.
Rob smiles and shakes his head pulls out his chair and sits
down. He then glances to picture of him and his family on
the desk. A lovely wife and daughter. He turns it face down.
Deize looks at him concerned.
ROB
She might have made it if we
weren’t so far from a hospital.
DEIZE
You don’t know that.
ROB
Oh yeah.
DEIZE
It’s good your seeing Cat now
(beat)
and for Ally too.
ROB
It’s been hard her not having a
mother, I know but somehow I almost
feel I’m betraying her.
DEIZE
Jenny would have wanted you to be
happy, it’s a good fit all around.
EXT. TOWN SIDEWALK - DAY
Ants march in unison unnoticed down the sidewalk gully. Down
the storm drain they go, an army of eight legged soldiers.
INT. JEEP - DAY
Rob shifts as he speeds off down the street. The sun glints
off his sunglasses. Rounding corner, a Vintage RED MUSTANG
at the town Gazebo. He recognizes it and pulls up.
7.
EXT. GAZEBO - DAY
On the steps, Rob’s daughter ALLY (17) and her boyfriend
BRANDON (17). Ally sings a song while Brandon strums a
guitar. Rob bloops the siren in praise.
ROB
Next American Idle.
ALLY
Dad, please.
ROB
Good stuff.
BRANDON
Thank you Mr. Davis Sir. Uh? Way
cool isn’t it?
ROB
Way cool. Your parents still in
Europe?
BRANDON
They’ll be back on Sunday
The pair approach the vehicle.
ROB
You guys better get a move on.
ALLY
Dad, Schools out for the summer.
ROB
Yeah, right I knew that.
ALLY
Seeing Catherine tonight?
ROB
Why is everybody so concerned about
my social life.
Rob winks and drives away. Ally teases Brandon.
ALLY
Thank you Mr. Davis Sir.
BRANDON
Ah shut up.
8.
INT. SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT - DAY
Deize takes out a gossip mag from her desk and turns on the
TV. She pours a cup of coffee, flips through magazine and
glances up at morning news.
On TV a reporter gives the weather forecast, then all at
once the TV winks out. Deize disgusted, walks over to try
and get it to come back on, but to no avail its dead as a
hammer.
On floor we see Ants crawling about.
INT. CATHERINE’S HOME - DAY
A nice neat little place with fairly modern furniture. On
wall we see a medical degree, then a picture of a woman
getting her diploma. We’ll come to know her as CATHERINE
"CAT" SIMS, she looks happy.
Other assorted pictures of family life. A Young boy, in
various pictures growing up. Then one in military uniform, a
shadow box with folded American flag a nameplate Tristan
Pierce KIA 9/15/09.
INT. CATHERINE’S BEDROOM - DAY
The Sun peeps through the curtains and lands on two
beautiful closed eyes, they twitch in REM sleep, dreaming.
S/O of Gunfire, men running a boy screams MaMa! A buzzing
noise getting louder, a cell phone ringing in the distance.
Cat’s eyes pop open She sits straight up in bed. Then starts
crying. Her dog BRANDY jumps into bed to console her.
CAT
Thank you girl.
There is a rapping at the front door. She collects herself
and wipes away the tears and shuffles off.
INT. FRONT HALL - DAY
Opening door, there stands Rob, hat in hand and a smile.
Brandy quickly greets him, he bends down petting her all
over.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
ROB
Hey girl, how you doing?
He stands back up and notices Cat’s red eyes.
ROB
Morning!
(beat)
Hey what’s wrong?
CAT
Dreams again.
ROB
Bad time? I’ll come back.
CAT
No, wait, come in.
She opens the door wide and he steps in.
CAT
Coffee?
ROB
Yeah, I could use a cup.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Catherine takes out two coffee mugs and pours them cup. Rob
takes a swig and looks at Cat with tender eyes.
ROB
Doesn’t get easier does it?
CAT
No, it’s awful
ROB
Your accident was bad, you were in
a coma for months.
CAT
I get disjointed images. It’s like
it was somebody else life I can’t
even remember my own son.
Rob’s cell phone goes off, it’s Deize. He ignores call.
CAT
Those thing invade my dreams too.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
ROB
Cell Phones? They’re pure evil to
country boys like me.
CAT
It’s more than that.
ROB
I can’t imagine not remembering my
wife or child.
CAT
I’m sorry.
ROB
No don’t be I’ve got good Memories
of Jenny I’m thankful for the time
we had.
(pause, taking sip)
Heard from Frank.
CAT
Not since the accident. I don’t
blame him.
Rob sympathetic
ROB
Hey anyone can go down that tunnel,
drugs and alcohol can numb the pain
especially after the loss of
someone you love. Believe me I
know.
CAT
Well at least I’m sober.
ROB
Everything happens for a reason.
Cat reaches over and takes his hand.
CAT
Yeah, now I’m home, I have you, I
can start my life over.
Then the squawk of Rob’s shoulder radio. Through static
Deize’s voice blurts on.
DEIZE (V.O.)
Come in Sheriff.
Rob adjusts the mic and speaks into it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
ROB
What is it?!
DEIZE (V.O.)
Answer your Cell phone! Mac Winters
just called he’s all upset,
something about his animals.
ROB
I’ll be right there.
Rob takes another swig of coffee and dons his hat.
ROB
See you tonight?
CAT
Sure.
EXT. MAC STILWELL FARM - DAY
Rob swings his jeep up Macs driveway. MAC STILWELL (70’s) a
salt of the earth type, stands waiting for him at the gate
to his pasture.
Rob casually steps from the jeep, Mac is highly agitated.
This is unlike him, it registers with Rob.
ROB
What’s going on?
MAC
I ain’t never seen the like.
In the field his cows are behaving wildly. They run into one
another biting and mooing. In the middle of all this, one
cow lays dead and bloated with the same welts as the wolf.
Rob and Mac go to investigate. They are halted by the other
cows, who form a protective circle around the dead one.
ROB
What the fuck?
MAC
See what I mean. I had to kill the
bull, he charged me.
The wind picks up, Rob hears a low buzzing sound. He gets a
whiff of something.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
ROB
Smell that?
MAC
Yeah, like honey.
ROB
(remembering)
I smelled that before.
MAC
What do you think?
ROB
Could be Rabies. We’ll need a vet
to confirm.
MAC
Shit! There nearest is in Nome
ROB
I’ll get on the horn to the County
maybe they can send somebody.
Rob steps back to his jeep and pulls out his rifle.
MAC
There goes my whole year.
ROB
The county will help you.
MAC
I hate god damn welfare.
INT. DOCTORS CLINIC - DAY
A country doctors office at best no high tech equipment
here.
One main office and two examination rooms. Cat walks in a
and puts on her medical smock and drapes her stethoscope
around her neck. A Nurse hands her the daily charts.
A young mother BETH TAVERN and her son sit patiently. The
little boy, BILLY, is holding his arm Cat bends down to
check him out.
CAT
What did you do this time.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
BILLY
(innocent)
Something stung me.
BETH
It started swelling.
Cat takes a look the boys forearm is really swollen.
CAT
Yep looks like a Bee sting. Hurts
like shit doesn’t it?
The Mother gives her a look.
CAT
Sorry, years in the military
BETH
What can you do?
CAT
Some penicillin should do it.
BILLY
Not a shot.
CAT
Ah come on, a big ole boy like you.
Billy seems embarrassed being called out he stiffens up. Cat
administers the shot, Billy winces a little.
CAT
There, watch it for a couple of
days. If the swelling doesn’t go
down bring him back
BETH
Thank you.
The Mother gathers up Billy and they leave. Passing them, a
wide eyed delirious stranger steps in screaming.
STRANGER
Bastards their gonna kill us!
CAT
Sir calm down!
STRANGER
She wants you!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
CAT
Who?
CAT
(to nurse)
Get me fifty C’s Demerol. Now!
The Nurse scrambles to the medicine Cabinet prepares a
syringe and hands it to Cat. The stranger surges forward.
Cat trips him up and thrusts the syringe into his thigh. He
goes limp.
CAT
That was fun.
The nurse beside her faints dead away. Cat takes out her
cell phone she stares at it like its a bomb. She rubs her
temple then we hear a buzzing noise. Cat shakes off and
dials.
EXT. MAC’S FARM - DAY
Rob and Mac have finished their grizzly task of killing the
animals. They are dragging them to a central area of the
field. Rob’s phone goes off.
Close on phone it’s CAT calling.
ROB
Hey babe what’s up.
INT. CLINIC - DAY
CAT
Hey just thought you should know
some guy burst in here said
somebody was going to kill us.
EXT. MAC’S FARM - DAY
Rob is way concerned.
ROB
Whoa what?
CAT
Hold on. He must have been
tripping, I sedated him.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.
ROB
Want me to come by
CAT
No he’ll be out all night. I’ll
secure him with restraints.
ROB
Okay see you tonight.
Cat a tender moment.
CAT
Okay. Love you.
ROB
Back at ya!
Rob hangs up and calls his office. We hear Deize answer.
DEIZE (V.O.)
Hola Senor Sheriff.
ROB
Hey Call the County I think we have
a rabies problem.
In farm country a rabies outburst is not good. Deize knows
this and becomes more serious.
DEIZE (V.O.)
Yes Sir.
ROB
See if they can send somebody right
away. I don’t want this getting
away from us.
INT. BILLY’S HOME - NIGHT
Billy and his Mother Beth sit at the dinner table. Billy
still doesn’t feel good.
BILLY
When will Dad be home?
BETH
He had that freight run to
Anchorage, probably Friday.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
BILLY
Can we call him?
Billy’s head is sagging.
BETH
Why don’t you go lie down.
BILLY
But Mom.
BETH
Take a nap we’ll call him later.
INT. BILLY’S ROOM - NIGHT
A typical ten years old’s room. Sports posters adorn the
walls, a baseball bat and gloves in the corner. Billy lies
on the bed sweating.
Outside Billy’s room we hear his Mother on the phone. A
buzzing noise comes from outside Billy’s window. Billy wakes
up with a start Wild eyed
BETH (V.O.)
No he’s fine, sleeping. Call you
later, Bye.
Billy rolls out of bed and walks over and gets his bat.
Holding it like a weapon he walks out of his room.
BETH (V.O.)
Hey sweetie, feeling better?
Then WHACK a sickening crunching noise.
BETH (V.O.)
(screaming)
What are you doing?
More blows and the screaming stops. Billy returns to his
room with blood all over him and the bat. He curls up in the
corner. Spiders creep along the floor towards him. They
quickly cover him and start spinning their web.
INT. ROB’S HOME - NIGHT
Rob is a little nervous like a boy on prom night. He fumbles
with some ties, trying different ones with his shirt.
Ally is playing on her phone pretending to ignore him.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.
ROB
The plain or stripes.
ALLY
Dad, that’s so not you.
ROB
You want your old man to look good.
ALLY
Planning on scoring tonight?
ROB
Ally!
She sets her phone down gets up and unbuttons his collar
opening it up, more casual.
ALLY
There. That’s you.
ROB
Thanks sweetie.
ALLY
I miss Mom too ya know. I don’t
want to loose you
ROB
Deize told me you were worried.
ALLY
You and Cat have another chance.
Rob shows pride in his girl he gives her a big hug.
ROB
Your stronger than I am
Rob puts his jacket on and Ally again, adjusts it for
optimum effect.
ALLY
A Prince charming.
ROB
I doubt that. You and Brandon be
careful tomorrow.
ALLY
Oh so your not coming home tonight?
Rob smiles and blows her a kiss. His phone rings it’s Deize.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 18.
ROB
Hey.
DEIZE (V.O.)
Got the county they can’t send
anybody till next week.
ROB
Damnit.
DEIZE (V.O.)
They said just contain and destroy
the animals.
ROB
Duh! Oh well thanks.
ALLY
Problem?
ROB
Not really, yet.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
A little mom and pop establishment the room is filled with
the usual eclectic furniture. An Americana type painting
above the bed, a nightstand with a Bible, TV and chair.
Abdul kneels on his prayer rug reciting scripture. He raises
back with uplifted arms and finishes. Folding up rug, he
sits down on bed. Staring disdainfully at Bible on
nightstand.
Beside Bible is a picture of a young man. He weeps looking
at it, this is someone important to him. Abdul takes the
Bible and starts to place in the drawer. Curious he opens it
and turns to a verse.
CLOSE ON JOHN 3:16
ABDUL
For God so loved the world he gave
his only begotten Son.
He closes it then looks longingly at the picture.
ABDUL
And I gave mine!
He shoves the Bible in the drawer and slams it shut. He
stands, goes back to suitcase and retrieves a manila folder.
On the front is the seal of the US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
He opens it, on the paper clipped inside, it has stamped
across it TOP SECRET. The Code name is OPERATION NIGHT WING.
Folding over paper we see picture of a Dead Iraqi it’s the
same as the nightstand photo, his son Heikeim. Also in
picture standing over the dead man is a US Soldier. In top
right corner of folder a picture of Frank. The caption
beside it reads RAID COORDINATOR.
INT. CLINIC - NIGHT
The clinic is quiet the nurse sits reading her magazine by a
single desk lamp. Moon beams shine through the windows. On
the wall the clock reads ELEVEN PM. She goes and checks on
the stranger he is still sound asleep, and secured.
Her shift done, she collects her things and leaves locking
door behind her.
EXT. MAE’S - NIGHT
A cross between a honkey-tonk and a diner, circa 1950. Mae’s
sits just off the side of the road beckoning to anyone
passing by. Mainly pick-ups line the parking lot.
Rob steps from the jeep and feels a crunching under his
feet. Looking down, more Ants heading straight for Mae’s. He
gets Cat out and looks back down.
ROB
Damn.
CAT
What?
ROB
I think this town needs an
exterminator.
They share a grin and proceed inside.
INT. MAE’S - NIGHT
The Diner is a mixed-bag crowd hang out. Working class folks
looking to grab a decent home style meal and other roadies
who just want to get drunk.
Making their way through, familiar faces throw up their
hands at them. Finding a table Rob sits down. Awkwardly he
stands back up and pulls out the chair for Cat.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
ROB
Sorry, been a while.
CAT
Thank you kind sir.
A waitress MAE (50’s) also the co-owner strides up to them
with menu’s.
MAE
How you two kids doing?
ROB
We ain’t been kids for a long time
Mae.
MAE
Are you younger than me?
ROB
Yes.
MAE
Then your a kid.
ROB
Fair enough, what’s the special
tonight.
Mae is also no nonsense. Rob is teasing her.
MAE
Whatever on the Menu.
ROB
Get her every time.
CAT
Does Henry still fix those steaks?
MAE
Of course honey.
ROB
Make that two.
MAE
Would you like wine and candles?
ROB
That would be nice.
Mae hollers back to the bar.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.
MAE
Two beers!
INT. MAE’S - NIGHT
The evening wears on, Rob and Cat catch up on old times.
ROB
Old man Simpson sold that place
years ago.
CAT
It’s people like you who had the
guts to stay and make this place
work that made people like me want
to come back.
ROB
I don’t know about that I call it
lazy.
CAT
You went to college why did you
come back?
Rob takes a swig of his beer reflecting.
ROB
Never felt I belonged anywhere
else.
CAT
Yeah I’m beginning to realize that.
The crowd has thinned out to just a few hangers on. Cat
glances around the room.
CAT
I guess we need to be leaving.
ROB
Not just yet.
Rob reaches into his pocket and walks to Jukebox.
A particularly sultry drunk blond, TAYLOR (22) in cut-offs
and a tank top leans over it. She checks Rob out and winks
at him.
TAYLOR
Hey Sheriff looking good.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.
ROB
Go home Taylor your drunk.
She leans over even more revealing more cleavage. Cat eyes
her, a small whining noise that goes off in her head. She
rubs her temple.
Mae catches what is going on with Taylor. Like a Mama Hen
she marches over and swirls her around.
MAE
Git!
TAYLOR
Make me bitch!
MAE
Okay, does Earl know your here?
TAYLOR
He don’t care no way.
The Mae pulls out her cell phone.
MAE
Why don’t we call him and find out.
Caught, Taylor gives up and grabs her purse and leaves.
ROB
(sarcastic)
Have a good night.
He grins at Cat with a look of relief. He inserts coins and
makes a selection. A Low soft love melody comes on. Rob
walks back to Cat and takes her hand.
ROB
Don’t mind my two left feet.
CAT
Want me to lead?
ROB
I’m not that bad.
EXT ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
The STRANGER from CLINIC lies curled up next to a dumpster.
He wakes with a start, still sweating. He takes in his
surroundings and sees a gun store across the street.
23.
EXT. GUN STORE - NIGHT
He proceeds over to it and breaks the glass on front door
letting himself in. Moments later he returns with a shotgun.
Loading it he goes to nearest power pole and fires at the
transformer and destroys it.
Pain racks him again he retreats back to alley. He starts to
convulse again. Then places the shotgun in his mouth and
fires. From his mouth and other orifices emerge wasps.
INT. MAE’S - NIGHT
Rob and Cat sway back and forth in time with the music. For
a moment they seem alone, lost in their own little world.
An old rugged Trucker PAUL sits at the Bar nursing his beer.
On counter some ants crawl towards his mug. Up the side of
the mug they go and over into the drink.
A mosquito flits into view it lands on the mans arm.
Stinging him but he doesn’t notice. He takes a swig of beer.
From his POV the room starts to swirl. His face goes flush
red and he fidgets, loosening his collar.
He starts to stand, but sways. Henry the bartender notices.
HENRY
Hey Bob better sit down.
PAUL
Got it too fuckin hot in here.
HENRY
You just had a few too many.
Paul flares up and smashes the beer glass. He holds the
jagged edge at Henry’s throat. Rob noticing the action
quickly intervenes.
PAUL
I’m oughta kill you!
ROB
Paul that’s not like you. Put that
down.
Paul has murderous intent in his eyes the crowd backs way
giving Rob some room. Paul breaks for him, but Rob grabs a
chair and crashes it down on Paul’s back.
Paul goes down, unconscious. Rob secures him in handcuffs.
Then the power winks out.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
ROB
What now?
CAT
You can still show a girl a good
time.
ROB
We’ll drop him off at his house.
Some date.
Mae lights a candle.
MAE
Alright folks, guess God’s sayin
its about time to close.
EXT. TOWN - NIGHT
Cruising down the street Half the town seems dark, but the
Jail is not. He glances across at grocery store, the lights
are still on. Rob doesn’t seem real concerned. He continues
on turning into small neighborhood.
EXT. PAUL’S HOME - NIGHT
He pulls into driveway of a residence. Paul’s wife ANNE is
at the front door. Anne looks worried, as Rob unloads Paul.
He drags him to the front door.
ANNE
What happened?
ROB
Oh nothin, got drunk that’s all.
He hands Paul off to Anne.
ANNE
I’m sorry don’t know what got into
him?
ROB
Don’t worry about it.
25.
INT. PAUL’S HOME - NIGHT
Anne scolds the half unconscious Paul, leading him to the
bedroom. She plops him down across the bed. Then goes to the
bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
She wets a towel.
ANNE
I don’t know why I put up with you?
She turns and there is a fully awake wild eyed Paul. He
grabs her around the throat.
EXT. PAUL’S HOME - NIGHT
The sounds of screaming, then nothing. A low buzzing sound
picks up. Moving down to sidewalk we see a column of ants.
Down the storm drains they go.
INT. STORM DRAIN - NIGHT
They fan out heading in all directions into the maze of the
sewer system under the city.
INT. HOME BATHROOMS/KITCHENS - NIGHT
Ants surge up through the toilets and bathtub drains and
sink facets. Into cracks in the wall they go, getting into
electrical wiring. On to home appliances radios, TV’s phones
and computers. They begin to gnaw at wires and circuit
boards.
INT. GROCERY STORE - DAY
Subtly the Ants parade under the store Aile partitions then
up into the food products. The bread, the cereal, the beef
and poultry, everything.
EXT. CATHERINE’S HOME - NIGHT
Rob hand in hand with Cat, walk up her front steps. The
house is dark.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 26.
ROB
Lights out here too.
CAT
I’ve got candles.
Rob acting debonair puts his arms around her.
ROB
Sounds Romantic.
Sensing the moment Rob kisses her. She happily responds but
pulls away gently.
CAT
I had a great time.
ROB
Still not much to do in this town.
CAT
It’s been great these couple of
months.
ROB
I feel good about this.
CAT
Where do we go from here?
Rob feeling a little awkward
ROB
I’m not sure.
CAT
There’s that void again.
Rob pretends ignorant of what shes’ talking about. He put up
another wall.
ROB
Hey why not a picnic tomorrow?
(beat)
I’ll take you up to the lake.
CAT
God I haven’t been there since I
was a teenager.
ROB
Sure, it’d be great.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 27.
CAT
And in the mean time
They move closer together a feeling brewing between them.
It’s almost like a volcano and finally over flows in a
torrent of passion.
Rob pulls her to him and kisses her fiercely. Closer than
any to people can be, they writhe in each others embrace.
Their lips do not part as they stumble into the house.
INT./EXT. CAT’S HOUSE - NIGHT
They peel each other clothes off, they can’t get into bed
fast enough. Unbridled passion sweeping over them, two
lonely people finally finding one another.
A connection that can’t be broken, true love combined with a
little lust. Bumping into furniture, Rob finally scoops Cat
up in his arms and bolts into the bedroom slamming the door
shut.
INT. CORVETTE - NIGHT
A lazily, drunk Taylor drives home. She rolls down the
window for some night air. She props her arm out the window.
Her Cell phone lays in the seat beside her. She picks it up
and dials.
Dialing, then, a mad as hell EARL answers.
EARL (V.O.)
Bitch! Where you at?!
TAYLOR
Hey Baby.
EARL (V.O.)
Don’t Hey Baby me.
Taylor giggles.
EARL (V.O.)
Your Drunk! - I -
Then static fizzles on, drowning out Earls voice.
TAYLOR
Earl? Earl? Fuck you to!
Without hanging up she tosses the phone into the seat.
28.
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
Something menacing lurks in the woods, we hear a low hum not
knowing what it is. We see Taylor’s car whiz by.
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
Then we see a swarm of wasps. Lead by what seems to be a
slightly larger one, this is the QUEEN. She darts out, her
massive hoard follows her. Through her multifaceted insect
vision we see the corvette ahead.
We close in on the Corvette.
INT./EXT. CORVETTE - NIGHT
The WASPS swarm into the window en mass. Taylor screams as
they inflict sting after sting. The Corvette swerves from
side to side. She manages to get the window closed.
Taylor bloated with welts, holds desperately to the steering
wheel. Ahead we see a small cabin she aims for it.
Stopping, Taylor falls from the car and stumbles up the
steps. She faintly beats on the front door and in a whisper
tries to call for help.
TAYLOR
Please! Help! Please!
As she beats on the door it creeks open.
INT. CABIN - NIGHT
Her legs give way, barely able to move she drags herself
across the floor, timidly looking for someone.
TAYLOR
Anyone here?
No one, she spies the bedroom and makes her way to it.
EXT. TOWN - DAY
It’s early Saturday people are starting to mill about. A
Power truck is parked to the side of the power pole with the
destroyed transformer. The engineer climbs into a lift
bucket, shifts a leaver and it hoists himself into the air.
Rob pulls up and steps from the jeep calling to the WORKMAN.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 29.
ROB
Is it bad news?
WORKMAN
It’s a mess, looks like somebody
took a shotgun to it.
ROB
What?
(beat)
How long is it gonna take.
WORKMAN
I’ll have most of it back on by
lunch.
Rob surveys the rest of the scene then sees the broken glass
to the gun shop.
INT. GUN SHOP - DAY
Rob gingerly opens the door investigating. From his POV a
smashed case with shotgun shells strewn all over. The shop
owner MIKE, shows up.
MIKE
What da hell?
ROB
See anything missing?
MIKE
Give me a minute.
ROB
I told you to get that alarm fixed.
MIKE
Well sales ain’t been dat good.
Mike takes a quick survey and spots an empty spot in the gun
rack.
MIKE
A Moss Burg’s gone.
ROB
What else?
MIKE
Just some shells looks like.
(pause)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 30.
MIKE (cont’d)Who would do something like dis to
me?
ROB
Ain’t nobody got all their marbles
around here.
Robs cell phone goes off.
ROB
(answering)
This is Rob.
INT. CLINIC/GUN STORE - DAY
Cat is standing in the empty examination room.
CAT
Hey, my patient is gone.
ROB
Thought you had him strapped in?
Cat is holding one of the restraints
CAT
Looks like he gnawed through them.
ROB
Did he take anything?
CAT
No he just left.
MIKE
(interrupting)
What are you gonna do about it?
Suddenly a scream from outside. Rob cell phone in hand, runs
out.
EXT. ALLEY DAY - DAY
Rob rounds the corner of the Alley. A waitress stands there
with her hands over her mouth. The grizzly sight of the man
with his head blown off greets him.
ROB
Christ almighty.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 31.
Rob notices the restraints on his wrists. Putting two and
two together, he brings cell phone up.
ROB
I found your patient.
EXT. CRASH SITE - DAY
Armed soldiers in utility fatigues come upon the wreck. Lead
by Frank, they fan out. He climbs into the open bed of the
semi.
INT. SEMI - DAY
His flashlight finds the hanging man. It’s a horrifying site
the man is black a blue. Large pustules bulge from the skin
they cover his face in arms. The man starts to twitch as the
pustules burst. New born wasps erupt out of the man.
Then the other wild eyed TECH comes from the shadows
screaming. He too, is bloated with the same pustules.
TECH
Get out of Here! She’s coming!
Frank steps back as one of his soldiers moves in front of
him with a flamethrower. The soldier shoots a steady stream
of flame into the individuals, engulfing them and the
swirling Wasps in fire.
EXT. SEMI MOUNTAINSIDE - DAY
Frank and the others climb out of the bed of the crashed
truck. He lights a cigarette and takes a long drag. A
helicopter buzzes over head. Franks radio bleeps.
COPTER PILOT (V.O.)
Ready for pic up Ultimate One,
over?
FRANK
Roger that, rendezvous in two zero
mics.
COPTER PILOT (V.O.)
Confirm two zero mics.
Frank switches the dial on the radio.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 32.
FRANK
Team two, ULTIMATE ONE, over.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Two Military Hum V’s carrying men and supplies are
positioned not to far away. They proceed down the road
passing a sign that reads, Hickory eleven miles.
INT. HUM V - DAY
On other end Captain WALTER KNIGHT (40’s), a career soldier
answers.
WALTER
Go ahead ULTIMATE ONE.
FRANK (V.O.)
No survivors.
The young soldier diving, glances at Walter, fear is written
all over his face.
WALTER
Roger that.
FRANK (V.O.)
Proceed to the town. Containment
protocols.
WALTER
Confirm? Complete containment?
FRANK (V.O.)
(hesitating)
Will advise, out.
Click. Frank signs off. Walter adjust radio and calls back
to other HUM V.
WALTER
(talking to other vehicle)
How you guys doing back there?
The voice from the other HUM V crackles on.
VOICE (O.S.)
Fine Captain.
Walter smiles and looks in the rear view mirror at the
vehicle. He turns, stoned faced back around and glances at
his driver.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 33.
KABOOM!
An explosion rocks the vehicle. The HUM V behind them has
been completely destroyed. Debris showers all around.
Then the onslaught comes. Wasps and infected Birds mash into
the windows. The rattled soldiers fire through the roof.
WALTER
Hold your fire!
The driver puts the vehicle in high gear and presses the
accelerator to the floor. They pick up speed tearing down
the highway.
Walter, in the confusion, dons his chemical warfare gear.
Pulling on hood, gas mask and gloves.
The windshield finally shatters. Wasps swarm in stinging the
men. Walter grabs a ruck sack full of something, his
automatic weapon and tosses them out the window.
He jumps clear just as Hum V crashes into a tree.
The injured men crawl from the vehicle screaming, covered in
Wasps. Walter puts them out of their misery and shoots them.
He dashes to the ruck sack and takes out a canister. It
reads NERVE GAS, he pops the top on it and throws it into
the swarm. The gas envelopes the swarm, some die and the
others move off.
Through the haze Walter runs to the HUM V and cracks open
the back. He finds a flamethrower and straps it on. He loads
up with as much nerve gas and ammunition as he can carry.
Satisfied, he backs up away from the HUM V and fires the
flamethrower, it engulfs the men and vehicle. Walter darts
way, unaware that he has inadvertently started a brush fire.
EXT. SEMI - DAY
Frank looks out over his meager force of about a dozen men.
They are scattered about combing and securing the area.
With military efficiency they go about their tasks sweeping
a grid pattern. One soldier has moved out ahead of the
group, isolated from the others.
Close on soldier, he is young about twenty but square jawed
and tough looking. He takes in the area looking around and
scanning the trees.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 34.
THEN
A rustle in the bushes, the soldier turns quickly, gun at
the ready. He cautiously moves forward, inching closer and
closer. The movement is more pronounced, finally it appears
A Possum waddles from the undergrowth.
The soldier lets down his guard when, WHAM!
Something lurches from behind a tree and tackles him.
EXT. GROUP OF SOLDIERS POSITION - DAY
We here the sound of screaming and shots being fired in the
distance, then it goes quiet. The SQUAD LEADER mid twenty’s
calls out.
SQUAD LEADER
Hold up! Everybody sound off!
The other soldiers halt what they are doing and listen.
Weapons are locked and loaded.
Then something eerie happens. Suddenly all the life in the
forest comes to life. Birds in a crescendo of chirping,
wolves howl. All sorts of grunts and growls. As if a
collective hysteria took over the forest.
The men stand there, watching. Sensing something awful is
is about to happen and unable to do anything about it.
It comes suddenly and without warning. More infected wolves
with the same tell tale pustules, tear into the men.
Several of them men are isolated, cut off. The wolves
surround them but don’t advance. Then a swarm of Wasps zoom
in, stinging and infecting these men.
Elsewhere A few soldiers get off rounds but most are torn to
shreds by the wolves. The men with the flamethrowers fire
several bursts, killing some of the animals and igniting the
forest as well.
The Copter zooms in and lands. With his command gone, Frank
runs to it and tosses himself inside. He screams over the
roar of the engines.
FRANK
GO! GO! Go!
The copter quickly dusts off.
35.
INT. COPTER - DAY
Frank straps himself into the Co-Pilots seat and puts on his
head phones. He adjusts his head set mic.
FRANK
ULTIMATE ONE to base over.
Static. Then a garbled voice transmission.
BASE (V.O.)
Go ahead ULTIMATE ONE.
FRANK
Have lost containment.
More static the voice does not respond.
EXT. COPTER - DAY
Flies swirl into the rotor motor causing it to stall, the
helicopter buffets wildly.
FRANK
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Any
station. Grid coordinates TEN NINER
CHARLIE OVER!
The copter tries to maintain altitude, but to no avail. It
manages to make a controlled crash.
INT. SHERIFF’S OFFICE - DAY
Deize is just opening up, her keys jingle in the lock.
Walking through the door she hears Frank’s call for help.
She quickly runs to the radio. Adjust dial she gets
frequency.
DEIZE
This is Hickory what’s your twenty?
Nothing but static.
DEIZE
This is Hickory respond.
Just silence.
36.
EXT. COPTER CRASH - DAY
Frank lies on the ground unconscious, thrown clear from the
copter.
INT. CLINIC - DAY
The clinic also serves as town morgue. Cat has the Stranger
stretched out on a long metal autopsy table. She and Rob, in
gloves and gowns hover over the man.
CAT
I’m not equipped to do a full
autopsy.
ROB
Could this be rabies?
CAT
(incredulous)
Rabies? This man shot himself.
ROB
I know, but look at those welts.
CAT
Bee stings. Nobody gets rabies from
bee stings. I’m telling you this
guy was on something.
Rob bends down closer, with gloved hand he presses the man’s
flesh. It oozes a sticky dark liquid, he takes his mask down
and inhales.
ROB
Smell that.
Cat removing mask.
CAT
Smells like honey.
ROB
That’s the third time I’ve caught
that odor.
Then the man heaves like he’s taking a gulp of air. Cat and
Rob jump back. He exhales and from his open mouth come about
a dozen Wasps, they are large and bloody. They form up in
front of Cats face, studying her, then fly out the window.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 37.
ROB
Fuck!
Rob’s phone Buzz’s, it makes Cat and he come unglued. Then a
look of relief, it’s just the phone.
ROB
(answering)
What is it?!
DEIZE
Somebody get out of the wrong side
of de bed?
ROB
Sorry no, what?
DEIZE
Got a Mayday message over the
radio.
ROB
Did you get a fix?
DEIZE (V.O.)
Thought I heard grid TEN NINER
CHARLIE.
CAT
That’s military.
EXT. COPTER CRASH SITE - DAY
Frank is starting to stir a little. He comes in and out of
consciousness. A booted foot appears near his head. Bending
down, Abdul gazes with contempt at the broken Frank.
There is no pity in his voice. From Frank’s POV through
blurry eyes we see him.
FRANK
(struggling)
Help, please.
ABDUL
Help you!?
FRANK
Must stop-
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 38.
ABDUL
Oh no, it’s just begun.
FRANK
Abdul?
ABDUL
Yes old friend.
Frank is puzzled.
FRANK
What are you doing?
ABDUL
Rendering justice. Senator Harkin
knows the situation, soon it will
all be over.
Frank is clearing up a little. Abdul takes photo and shows
to Frank
ABDUL
Haeikem El Fassil my son. I could
not let Sadam get a hold of my
work. So I defected to America,
were my experiments would not be
exploited by the military. Then 911
happened and you invaded my
country. The son I left behind
became a freedom fighter, an
insurgent to you.
(beat)
I was a loyal American and you
hunted him down like a dog!
FRANK
He was a terrorist!
ABDUL
He was my son and you murdered him!
Frank reaches for his weapon, it’s not there. Then the click
of the hammer being pulled back. Frank just closes his eyes
as he feels the barrel of the gun at his temple.
ABDUL
Don’t worry my friend, not now.
(beat)
I’ve more in store for you. But
know this, man’s reign is at an
end.
39.
Abdul stands and takes out his cell. On screen we see him
going to videos. He presses play then holds it in front of
Franks eyes. We hear screaming coming from video, Frank
tears up.
INT. BRANDON’S CAR - DAY
Brandon drives along with one hand on steering wheel. He
takes in the beautiful surroundings. Ally scoots up closer
to him. He drapes his arm around her. Ally spies the cut off
road, but isn’t sure.
ALLY
Whoa, stop, stop, stop.
BRANDON
I thought you said it was up this
way?
ALLY
Well, this looks familiar.
BRANDON
When was the last time you where up
here?
ALLY
Before Mom died.
BRANDON
Well?
ALLY
Turn here.
BRANDON
Okay.
He backs up and the car chokes out.
BRANDON
Damn. I just fixed that starter.
He turns the ignition and tries cranking the car. It whines
and idles, he tries again, finally it kicks in. He revs the
engine several times, giving it some gas.
40.
EXT. CABIN - DAY
The pair drive up to the old cabin. Brandon angles his car
close to the Corvette. Ally recognizes the car.
ALLY
That Bitch! What she doing up here?
BRANDON
This can’t be it.
ALLY
Sure it is, she got drunk and
brought some guy here!
Ally comes unglued and storms out of the car.
EXT. CABIN - DAY
She slams the car door and marches to the front steps.
Brandon rushes to catch her.
ALLY
She’s probably fucking in my Mama’s
bed.
BRANDON
Wait a minute.
ALLY
What are you scared of?
BRANDON
Stop it.
Brandon takes her by the arm, coaxing her down.
BRANDON
Let’s just calmly knock and see
what’s going on.
Her temper abated, Ally relents to his logic. They lightly
climb the steps. Brandon gently taps on the door. It is ajar
and creaks open.
INT. CABIN - DAY
Brandon takes Ally’s hand stepping inside. It is quiet, they
gingerly move forward.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 41.
BRANDON
Hello.
ALLY
Why are you whispering? Hey Bitch!
You in here?!
BRANDON
Jesus!
Emanating from the bedroom are muffled groans.
ALLY
See, I told you she’s screwing some
guy.
She busts the bedroom door open wide. Inside is not what
they expected to see. They stare in shock, on the bed is
Taylor swollen black and blue with the same pustules as the
Techs.
BRANDON
Good God somebody beat her!
They rush to help. Ally quickly turning from rage to
sympathy. Taylor convulses and shakes.
ALLY
Hey, shush what happened?
ROB
Was it Hank?
Taylor starts frothing at the mouth she sits straight up.
Screaming in agony.
TAYLOR
Get out!
BRANDON
She’s in shock or something.
ALLY
Taylor calm down.
TAYLOR
NO! Leave!
ALLY
Hey this is my cabin!
Brandon pulls Ally away.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 42.
BRANDON
Stop it! She needs help! We’ve got
to get her to the clinic.
ALLY
I don’t care if she dies.
BRANDON
You don’t mean that.
Ally relents, no she doesn’t. Taylor is circling the room,
out of it. Brandon and Ally grab her under the Arms. But
Taylor resists. They manage to drag her outside.
EXT. CABIN - DAY
Struggling to get her to the car, Taylor summons up the
strength of ten men and hurls the pair to the ground. Ally
gets up dusting herself off, ready to fight.
ALLY
Okay Bitch!
Ally retrieves her cell from her back pocket. She dials,
this sends Taylor into a fit. She screams and claws at Ally.
The cell phone falls to the ground. Brandon shoves Taylor
away. From the woods comes a low growl, it catches his
attention.
Emerging from the undergrowth, is a Mountain lion looking
like it’s been through a shredder. The strange pustules
cover it too.
Brandon and Ally back up to car.
ALLY
Taylor get in the house!
Taylor just stands there oblivious. The mountain lion creeps
forward. Brandon and Ally jump into the car and lock the
doors. The Lion is moving closer to Taylor bearing its
teeth.
ALLY
Shit!
Taylor goes to meet it.
BRANDON
What the crap!?
43.
Then the mountain lion turns gentle as a kitten Taylor pets
it. Like a team they turn and dash towards the Car. The Lion
jumps on the hood and smashes at the windshield. Taylor
beats on the side window and jiggles the door trying to get
in.
INT. BRANDON’S CAR - DAY
Brandon grapples for his keys. As Taylor raves, she starts
to convulse. The pustules erupt with Wasps, she vomits up
more of them, all bloody. Collapsing, they ooze from her
skin, and other orifices.
Ally screams at the sight. Brandon tries to get car to turn
over. Several frustrating attempts, then it finally cranks.
The car peels way, tossing the mountain lion off the hood.
EXT. BRANDON’S CAR - DAY
The car speeds down the road with the wasps and lion hot
pursuit. The car swerves onto the main drag. Finally the
Lion gives up and the wasps dissipate.
INT. CAR - DAY
Both the kids are racked with fear. Ally is crying, Brandon
holds onto the steering wheel for dear life.
EXT. CAR - DAY
The car races down the mountain side. Ahead is a large
pothole Brandon doesn’t see it.
BLAM!
The car hits it full force, blowing out tires. The car
careens off the road and plows into a ditch. Stuck and
smoking, the car finally coughs and dies.
INT. CAR - DAY
Brandon tries frantically to start the car, but it’s no use.
Ally is out cold, bleeding from a cut on the forehead.
BRANDON
Oh shit, Ally!
He tries his cell phone. Then Wasps start to form on the
Windshield.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 44.
BRANDON
God Damn it!
Brandon remains perfectly still petrified with fear.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Walter proceeds through the brush like a pro, he’s in his
element. Used to the battlefield, all his senses are
heightened.
Stopping for a moment he checks his compass. His radio
crackles on.
Surprised he grabs it up.
WALTER
Team Two Broken Arrow.
On the other end a low deep voice.
VOICE (0.S.)
Broken Arrow. I’m always surprised
at your American euphemisms.
WALTER
(recognizing)
Abdul.
ABDUL (O.S.)
A lie to cover up a crime.
WALTER
Listen, we had a deal.
EXT. WOODS ABDUL/WALTERS POSITION - DAY
Fire rages around Abdul but we know he’ll make it out. He
looks to be relishing in the chaos.
ABDUL
How cheap life is to you. Killing
your own men.
WALTER
They were a risk.
ABDUL
I created these creatures to
destroy men like you, men of war
and greed.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 45.
WALTER
Hey man I did my job.
ABDUL
You still don’t get it.
WALTER
All I want is to get paid.
ABDUL
Little man! Money means nothing,
you mean nothing, the world means
nothing!
Walter realizing he’s been had.
WALTER
Shit!
ABDUL
That’s right my friend and your in
it.
Abdul abruptly ends the transmission.
INT. JEEP - DAY
Rob shifts down steering the jeep along the winding mountain
road. Cat studies a map, her Medical bag beside her.
CAT
Best I can figure, it’s somewhere
up ahead.
ROB
Is it a full moon or what?
Cat gives him a look.
ROB
A suicide, dead cows, giant wasps.
Now a plane crash.
CAT
Not your typical week?
The levity appeals to Rob, he smiles.
ROB
You know why I love this job?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 46.
CAT
Tell me.
ROB
It’s boring, I have the same
routine everyday.
Rounding bend in road Rob spots a puff of smoke.
ROB
There it is.
EXT. COPTER CRASH SITE - DAY
The Jeep skids to a stop just shy of the Copter. Frank lays
face down on the ground unconscious. Rob and Cat get out and
dash to his aid.
Turning him over Rob realizes who it is, Cat is taken aback.
ROB
Frank?!
Rob listens for a heartbeat. Cat goes into full Medic Mode,
checking vitals.
CAT
He’s still alive.
ROB
What’s he doing up here?
CAT
Nothing seems broken but we need to
get back to the Clinic.
Rob takes out Cell phone. Frank comes out of his fugue.
FRANK
No, No! Cell phones!
ROB
He’s delirious.
FRANK
No, I’ll explain, get me up.
Against her better judgment Cat agrees. The pair get him to
his feet and lean him against the Jeep. Rob runs over and
checks the PILOT and returns shaking his head.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 47.
ROB
Pilot’s gone, broke his neck.
A little smoke drifts into the area. Sensing something, Rob
Jumps on to the hood the jeep. He scans area with
binoculars, then from his POV we see it, the forest fire. He
jumps down and grabs radio mic in jeep.
ROB
Deize come in over.
DEIZE (V.O.)
Yes Sir.
ROB
We got a fire out here.
DEIZE (V.O.)
Roger that, the Fire Chief is
already on it.
ROB
Good, we may have to call in other
crews.
Cat tends Frank’s injuries.
CAT
What are you doing out here?
Frank remains silent.
ROB
We better get a move on that fire
is moving this way.
EXT. MOUNTAIN - DAY
Two Fire Engines wheel to a stop on the road. On either side
the fire rampages. Firemen deploy from each vehicle. Taking
their axes, they start chopping down trees and brush to make
a fire break.
FIRE CHIEF
Check for flame ups, we don’t won’t
this thing coming back on us.
Diligently the fire crew tries to contain the blaze. Wind
whips up fanning the flames. Several trees ignite like match
sticks. Burning embers fly all around, they are loosing it.
A tree finally starts to give way.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 48.
FIRE CHIEF
Look Out!
Too late the tree collapses killing the men.
Now it’s desperate, fight or flight. The Chief pulls out his
cell phone. He dials, but it’s static. Then the attack
comes, Wasps swarm in on the men. The Chief is covered,
screaming he falls.
A fireman makes it into one of the trucks. Panicked he he
fumbles for the keys and cranks it up. Like a mad man he
tears out of the area.
EXT. SEMI ATTACK SITE - DAY
The carnage left in the wake of the animal attack is
horrific, bodies everywhere. Several of the soldiers lie
motionless. Victims of the Wasps with large pustules, but
unscathed by other creatures.
The soldiers wake up with a start. Wild eyed and delirious
with apprehension and confusion. A buzzing sound starts up.
They stand check their weapons then proceed into the woods.
INT. BRANDON’S CAR - DAY
Brandon is sweating a bucket, the car is stifling hot. Alley
is still out cold and not looking good. The fire creeps
forward, Wasps swarm around the vehicle.
Reluctantly he tries his cell phone the Wasps go into a mad
crescendo. The buzzing is almost deafening but Brandon is
determined.
EXT. JEEP - DAY
Rob’s cell phone chirps, he quickly answers.
ROB
This is Rob.
BRANDON (O.S.)
Sir, it’s Brandon.
ROB
You kids alright?
Frank is waving his hands to hang up. We hear the incessant
buzzing. Like a large monster storming through the woods,
comes a swarm of the Wasps.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 49.
BRANDON (O.S.)
No sir we had a wreck.
ROB
Where are you?
INT. BRANDON’S CAR/JEEP - DAY
Brandon starts to come unglued he’s been strong. The Wasps
are growing ever louder
BRANDON
We were attacked the animals and
wasps, and My God - Taylor, she,
she-
ROB
(fatherly)
Hold on Son. How’s Alley?
BRANDON
Out cold. Sir it’s getting hot.
EXT. JEEP - DAY
The swarm breaks through clearing and descends on the the
three of them. Oddly they just hover around and do not
attack.
CAT
Oh my God!
These Wasps are larger and seem more fierce, like some
strange hybrid.
FRANK
(calmly)
Get in the jeep.
Slowly all three pile in.
INT. JEEP - DAY
Rob gets back to Brandon.
ROB
Okay where are you?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 50.
BRANDON (V.O.)
Sir there’s wasps everywhere.
We hear their buzzing over Rob’s cell.
FRANK
You have to hang up.
ROB
That’s my daughter out there.
FRANK
If you don’t hang up the Wasps will
kill them.
BRANDON (V.O.)
We’re at the 6 mile marker from the
cabin.
ROB
Okay son we’re coming, but don’t
use your phone. Not for anything.
BRANDON (V.O.)
Yes Sir.
Click.
EXT. BILLY’S HOME - DAY
A car pulls into the driveway. Billy’s father EDDIE gets out
and opens the trunk taking out a suitcase. Whistling he
walks up the steps and enters the house.
Moments later, we hear him scream and he runs back out
crying and shaking.
EXT. WOODS WALTER’S POSITION - DAY
He struggles out of the woods to the road. The fire is
moving up quickly behind him. Ahead he spots a vehicle.
Moving closer, it’s Brandon’s vehicle, covered in Wasps.
Reluctant to investigate he turns away, then the S/O of
cries for help. The fire is getting closer he can’t abandon
them. He takes up his radio.
51.
INT. JEEP - DAY
Frank’s radio bleeps on
WALTER (O.S.)
Ultimate One do you read?
FRANK
Roger Team Two what’s your sit rep?
WALTER
My teams dead sir.
Frank sinks back into the seat like the breath has been
knocked out of him.
WALTER (O.S.)
Sir we’ve got a fire up here.
FRANK
(grimly)
I know.
WALTER
Sir I’ve located a Red Mustang.
There seems to be someone inside.
Rob exited, relieved and anxious all at once.
ROB
That’s Brandon’s car.
INT./EXT. JEEP/WALTER’S POSITION - DAY
WALTER
The vehicle is covered in Wasps.
FRANK
Do you have a unit?
WALTER
That’s affirm.
FRANK
Burn it.
ROB
What the fuck?! That’s my daughter
asshole!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 52.
FRANK
We can’t risk infection.
He stares blankly at Rob.
FRANK
There is nothing we can do for
them.
ROB
What is all this?!
CAT
(firmly)
Tell us.
FRANK
A new weapons system.
ROB
Wasps?
FRANK
And other insects, mosquitoes,
ants.
CAT
What exactly do they do.
Their is a finality in Frank’s answer.
FRANK
Takeover.
ROB
So you just set them loose to prove
it could work, or did they get away
from you?
Frank continues to stare at Rob.
ROB
That’s it isn’t?
CAT
How do we control them?
FRANK
The experiment’s been altered. We
used cell phone frequencies but
something has changed.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 53.
ROB
How?
FRANK
They seem to have a plan.
ROB
Enough talk!
Rob grabs the Radio from Frank.
ROB
Listen Captain, this is Sheriff Rob
Davis my Daughter is in that car,
she’s hurt, and needs your help.
FRANK
Don’t listen to him solder.
Cat beats Frank down with her eyes. Rob waits for an answer.
ON WALTER
Trying to figure it out, indecisive. Time is running out the
flames are already lapping in the bushes behind him.
INT. BRANDON’S CAR - DAY
ON BRANDON
He’s sweating like a pig fear is all over his face. He
strokes Allys hair, she is looking terrible. The heat is
intensifying inside the car as the fire moves ever closer.
Then a miracle the cloud of Wasps starts to dissipate. The
heat of the fire is driving them away.
Walter bangs on the window it startles Brandon.
Walter shouts through the window.
WALTER
Stay put.
BRANDON
(nervous)
Okay.
He then indicates his flamethrower.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 54.
WALTER
When I tell you run!
BRANDON
What about Ally?
WALTER
I’ll get her.
EXT. BRANDON’S CAR - DAY
At that moment Rob’s Jeep drives up and skids to a stop.
Walter surprised at the arrival of help, takes the radio and
relays what he is going to do.
WALTER
I’m going to try and make a hole.
When I say so, come get the girl!
INT. JEEP - DAY
Rob is antsy his adrenalin is pumping on all pistons.
FRANK
The fire is giving us a break.
EXT. JEEP - DAY
Walter steadies himself the Wasps are swirling around
him. He pumps several bursts of flames into the swarm
driving them away. Moving forward, he gets to the car door
and flings it open.
WALTER
(to Brandon)
Run!
Brandon dashes from the car and heads to the Jeep. Frank
pushes Brandon into the Jeep. Rob is at a dead run racing
for the car. He swings the door wide scoops up Ally and
dashes back.
INT. JEEP - DAY
He squeezes Ally into the Front seat. Cat reaches into the
back seat and grabs a bottled water. She pours it liberally
over Ally.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 55.
CAT
She’s burning up.
EXT. JEEP - DAY
With the Wasps at bay Frank calls to Walter.
FRANK
Come on!
Walter pumps a few more bursts, then turns and runs. Frank
jumps in. Walter, climbs onto the back.
FRANK
Hold on!
WALTER
Only way I know.
Walter secures himself on the back bumper using one of his
field straps to anchor himself to the rear tire. The area is
almost totally engulfed by the forest fire. Animals infected
by the Wasps, flee the heat and hurdle into the jeep.
Walter releases a stream of liquid fire repulsing them.
Speeding down the mountain road, the lush forest is now
ablaze. Walls of flame on either side.
INT. JEEP - DAY
Cat surveys Ally it’s not good.
CAT
She’s burning up, we’ve got to cool
her down.
ROB
Mac’s farm is just ahead.
EXT. MAC’S FARM - DAY
The jeep screeches to a stop just in front of Mac’s Farm
house. Rob jumps out quickly and gets Ally. He pads up the
steps to the front door, with Cat hot on his trail. Cat
bangs on the front door.
CAT
Hello!
56.
No answer, nothing but silence. She bangs again still
nothing. Rob can’t wait, he throws his weight against the
door and crashes inside.
INT. MAC HOME - DAY
Rob knows his way around, he’s been here before. He proceeds
to the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Rob gently places Ally in the Tub. Cat takes over, she turns
the water on cold. She steps out and comes back in with some
ice trays and dumps the cubes in the water.
Cat waifs the water all over Ally covering her. She looks in
the medicine cabinet and finds a thermometer.
She places it under Allys Arm, she leaves it there a moment
then checks it. She looks relieved at what she sees.
CAT
Her temps coming down.
Rob is overwhelmed with Joy as he bends down and cradles his
daughter. She is breathing better.
CAT
She still has a nasty bump, we need
to get her back to the clinic as
soon as we can.
ROB
Right.
With his daughter safe, Rob bolts from the room. Cat knows
what’s about to happen.
CAT
No wait.
EXT. MAC’S HOME - DAY
Frank is checking the gear. Rob parades over and swirls him
around and decks him. Frank goes reeling to the ground.
Walter intervenes as Cat helps Frank up.
CAT
Stop it!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 57.
ROB
Mother fucker! You were just gonna
let her die.
FRANK
To save millions, yes.
ROB
You keep saying that.
CAT
Enough. We’ve got to get back to
town.
ROB
Speaking of, we need to warn them
about the cells. Mac has a landline
inside.
Rob hurries off, Frank adjusts himself. Walter returns to
checking his equipment.
FRANK
Good job back there.
The compliment doesn’t elicit a response.
FRANK
(suspicious)
What happened to the rest of your
team?
WALTER
You fucking kidding me?
FRANK
Antent Hut! When you answer an
officer, how dare you take that
tone with me.
WALTER
We were ambushed by those things
just like you were.
FRANK
Managed to get your suit on.
WALTER
Yeah, lucky I guess.
FRANK
(sensing a lie)
Lucky.
58.
INT. MAC’S HOME - DAY
Rob walks back in, spies the phone and picks up receiver. We
hear a dial tone, relief on Robs face as he dials.
BAM! A gun blast rings out splintering the phone to
smithereens. Rob twirls and there is MAC holding a shotgun.
He’s glossy eyed and sweating, pustules on his face. Cat and
Frank rush in.
Rob levels his gun at Mac.
ROB
Mac, put the gun down.
MAC
I can’t.
ROB
Yes you can.
MAC
Got to protect.
Mac cocks the other barrel of the shotgun. The from behind
him jumps Brandon, he tackles Mac. In a rage Brandon punches
him again and again. He then grabs a vase and raises it high
above his head ready to crush Mac’s Skull.
Rob stops him.
ROB
No, it’s not his fault.
FRANK
See what I mean, that’s what’s
going to happen to all of us.
Alerted by the sound of gunfire Walter bursts in.
FRANK
He was infected.
WALTER
(grimly)
It’s not just him.
Walter leads the way, he swings the porch door open wide.
The area is a sea of cocoons. The nearest one is Mac’s wife.
Close on it we see the frock of her graying hair. Beyond
that are what’s left of Mac’s cows cocooned. Walter moves
ahead and readies flamethrower to destroy them.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 59.
Then automatic weapons fire breaks out from the trees. A
Bullet hits Walters Flamethrower tank he explodes into a
fireball and is incinerated.
The infected soldiers and animals move from the treeline in
unison like some unworldly stormtroopers. Bullets fly
everywhere. Rob Grabs Cat and they duck for cover. Frank
burros himself beside a tree trunk.
A Wolf darts from the oncoming assailants. Rob drops it with
a single shot. The infected soldiers press on determined and
unyielding. Their infected bodies immune to fear or pain.
Frank gets one in his sights and drops him. Rob kills one as
well. The wall of fire from Walters explosion repulses the
infected animals.
It gives Rob and the others a small break. Frank motions for
them to get to the Jeep. Brandon runs from the house with
Ally in his arms. Everyone piles into the Jeep. A bullet
catches Frank in the arm, but he keeps going.
Cat screams for him and dashes from the jeep.
CAT
Frank!
FRANK
I’m alright!
The Soldiers, march straight through the fire. Oblivious
that their flesh is burning.
FRANK
Holy mother.
INT. JEEP - DAY
Rob and Cat witness the nightmare assault by these ghoulish
flaming apparitions. It is a ghastly sight Human torches
with guns pressing the attack. Finally they collapse dead.
Frank makes it into the jeep. He is bleeding heavily. Cat
bandages him up. Rob puts it in reverse and away they go.
Nobody says anything they are all on the same page. Rob
picks up the radio mic.
60.
INT. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT/JEEP - DAY
A nervous Deize scans the town from the window. A small
crowd has gathered on the sidewalks watching the smoke. A
LOUD DULCET TONE from the radio system over it comes Robs
crackly, voice barely audible.
ROB
Deize come in!
She breaks for the radio sitting down fumbling with the
heavy microphone.
ROB
Deize Pick up!
DEIZE
I’m trying!
Finally she clears up the signal.
DEIZE
Sheriff Beth Tavern’s been
murdered. Her husband found her.
ROB
How?
ROB
Billy? He used a baseball bat.
CAT
I treated him for bee sting
yesterday.
FRANK
It’s started.
DEIZE
And you won’t believe this the boy
is covered in cobwebs.
Rob gives Frank a "what did you do look"
ROB
Yes I would, don’t let anyone in
that house. I’m on my way.
DEIZE
What do we do?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 61.
ROB (V.O.)
Do not use your cell phones.
As Deize hangs up the front door swings open. Turning she
sees a man yielding a crowbar. Wild eyed and crazy he races
towards Dieze. Swinging, he misses her.
She cowers behind a desk then spies the open jail cell. The
man races at her again. She she dodges him again as he runs
headlong into the jail cell. Deize slams the door shut
locking him in.
INT. JEEP - DAY
The radio bleeps, Rob quickly answers.
ROB
Go ahead Deize.
ABDUL (V.O.)
Your little town is doomed.
ROB
Say that to my face.
FRANK
He’s just taunting you.
ABDUL (V.O.)
Right General the fight is between
us. But the game is afoot. By now
Senator Harkin is aware of the
problem. He has probably taken
appropriate action.
ROB
What’s he talking about?
FRANK
Containment protocols.
ABDUL (V.O.)
Correct, you win a prize.
Franks words hang in the air. Whatever he’s talking about,
Rob gets it isn’t good. A look of remorse comes across
Frank’s face.
FRANK
We may can stop it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 62.
ROB
Stop what?
FRANK
Eradication of infestation by
extreme measures.
CAT
(getting it)
As in nuclear?
FRANK
Cells are useless to us. We’ll use
your dispatch radio.
Then Frank’s cell goes off he answers screaming into the
receiver.
FRANK
Listen you son of a bitch!
We hear nothing but a buzzing noise. He pulls the phone back
staring at the screen. On it we see the inside of the jeep
with them sitting in it. The image is faceted, like that
through an insect’s eyes.
FRANK
Good Christ.
The buzzing gets louder as the image of them moves side to
side. The Buzzing lessons and a voice becomec audible.
Monotone and high pitched.
VOICE (O.S.)
Creator.
Frank unsure answers.
FRANK
Who is this?
VOICE (O.S.)
Those who are older.
FRANK
Jesus.
ROB
Who, What is that?
VOICE (O.S.)
Those that survive we build.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 63.
FRANK
I think it’s the Wasp Queen.
QUEEN
You call I Queen?
ROB
Your kidding me?
FRANK
No, I’m not.
ROB
How can she speak?
Frank waves him to shut up.
FRANK
Yes you are the leader the Queen.
QUEEN
I speak for many.
FRANK
Yes, why do you kill?
QUEEN
We absorb, only man kills. We work
we endure.
BRANDON
Sounds like a broken record.
The adults glare at him to be quiet.
QUEEN
Soon we will all be one.
Then the image fades and the phone goes quiet, Frank
explains.
FRANK
Cells operate on a Geo Magnetic
Signals, the same as bees.
(beat)
This cell is a prototype designed
to pick up their brain wave
patterns it simply interpreted them
as language.
ROB
That’s why we can’t use the cells.
You weren’t expecting this?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 64.
FRANK
No. Not direct communication.
EXT. TOWN - NIGHT
Hickory is oddly quiet even for this small town. The Jeep
wheels up to the Clinic. Cat get’s out with Ally in tow,
Brandon helps her. There is a calm urgency in their actions.
CAT
Let me check her out.
ROB
(to Brandon)
Stay with them and close all the
windows. We’ll be back.
Rob steers the jeep away.
INT. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT - NIGHT
Rob and Frank bolt through the door. The man in the jail
cell starts flaying around and screaming. It catches the men
off guard. Deize comes running out of the back room, she
looks relieved to see them.
DEIZE
Thank God!
ROB
What happened here?
DEIZE
He jut burst through the door and
started chasing me.
FRANK
We’ve got to get rid of him.
Deadly earnest in Frank’s voice.
ROB
He’s sick.
FRANK
He’s already a dead man.
Rob points to the radio.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 65.
ROB
Look you take care of your end.
Rob turns his attention back to Deize. Frank pulls out his
gun and aims through the bars. BAM! He shoots the man square
in the head. Rob turns appalled.
FRANK
We’re wasting time.
Deize and Rob are stunned and just stand there. Frank goes
to the radio. Adjusting dials, he takes up the mic.
FRANK
Base Ultimate one over!
INT. HANGER - DAY
A large Open Hanger in the middle of nowhere we see a
airfield runway outside. Not a military base but a make
shift one. Computers are maned by what appears to be
pare-military personnel, all dressed in black. It’s clear
this is a secret facility.
Senator Harkin walks among them. Another GENERAL accompanies
him. We hear Frank’s voice boom over the radio. The General
quickly picks up the Mic.
GENERAL
Go ahead Ultimate One.
FRANK (V.O.)
Abort Fire Mission, Repeat Abort.
Harkin dismisses it and grabs the Mic.
HARKIN
Negative, we can’t risk them
getting loose.
FRANK (V.O.)
Believe I have a way to stop it.
Abdul has changed the experiment.
Harkin cups his hand over the mic.
HARKIN
Poor devil, must be infected.
GENERAL
(to radio operator)
End Transmission.
66.
The Operator does as he’s told and the line goes dead.
INT. SHERIFF’S OFFICE - DAY
Frank hang’s his head low, we hear nothing but static. Rob
gets it.
ROB
This never was a military project.
FRANK
No, it wasn’t sanctioned.
ROB
Okay, explain!
FRANK
(regretfully)
Created by two men who lost sons to
senseless war.
ROB
Who is Abdul?
FRANK
Abdul El Rabbat was our lead
scientist on the project, he
defected to the west before the
war. Left behind his wife and young
son for lack of money.
ROB
Somehow I get there’s more.
FRANK
His son Heikime El Rashaine grew up
ashamed of his father. He become
our number TWO on the terrorist hit
list.
ROB
And you killed him.
FRANK
Actually, my son Tristan led the
raid.
ROB
Where he too was killed?
A tear comes to Franks eye.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 67.
FRANK
Both sons killed by useless hate.
ROB
This is a vendetta.
FRANK
Yes.
ROB
Think of the other mothers sons.
You can stop this.
Frank thinking, dials an open frequency.
INT. RADIO POST - DAY
A small office attached to a larger Air Force base nestled
somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. A Private monitors radio
traffic.
Franks voice squeaks on.
FRANK (V.O.)
CQ, CQ any station Mayday, Mayday
Mayday! Over!
A PRIVATE operates the radio, he is young and inexperienced.
Joining him is a Captain who looks over his shoulder.
PRIVATE
What’s CQ?
CAPTAIN
Old Ham radio call sign. Must be
some sort of prank.
The Captain picks up the radio mic.
CAPTAIN
Identify yourself Over.
FRANK (V.O.)
Never mind that we have terrorist
attack in progress. Repeat
imminent, confidence is high.
PRIVATE
Sounds legit to me sir.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 68.
CAPTAIN
(miffed)
This is for Military radio traffic.
If you do not stop transmitting you
will be prosecuted.
FRANK
This is General Franklin Pierce
Serial Number 4436721A my emergency
ID, Delta One Niner Five.
INT. RADIO POST - DAY
The Captain types in the information on one of the
Computers. Franks face and ID pop up. But, the Captain needs
one more piece of information confirming who he’s talking
to.
CAPTAIN
Okay General, what’s your password.
FRANK (V.O.)
(answering)
Catherine.
CAPTAIN
Sir, what are you doing on this
channel?
FRANK (V.O.)
We have a terrorist attack in
progress possibly nuclear.
The word nuclear hangs in the air. The Captain realizes he’s
in over his pay grade.
CAPTAIN
Uh, Just a moment Sir. I’m
transferring you to the base
commander.
The Radio operator switches dials.
INT. GENERAL’S OFFICE - DAY
General MAXWELL "MAX" TAYLOR a hard, square jawed Air force
General sits behind his desk going over paperwork. Behind
him we see an old Combat picture of him and a young Frank.
The phone rings Max answers it curtly.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 69.
MAX
Yes.
INT. RADIO POST - DAY
A nervous Captain relays the information.
CAPTAIN
Sir, I have A General Franklin
Pierce on the line he’s says we
have a nuclear terrorist attack in
progress.
INT. GENERAL’S OFFICE - DAY
Max is skeptical
MAX
Did he check out?
CAPTAIN (V.O.)
Yes Sir.
His demeanor changes as he stands up.
MAX
Put him through!
EXT/INT. GENERAL’S OFFICE, WOODS - DAY
FRANK
Max I don’t have time to explain
and you probably wouldn’t believe
me if I did.
MAX
That’s a hell of a claim Frank.
FRANK
Remember what we talked about?
MAX
(realizing)
Yes.
FRANK
A C-130. It’s coming in low. They
should be over my POS in about 20
mics.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 70.
MAX
Right, wait one.
Max reaches down and presses his intercom.
MAX
(into intercom)
I need Two FAST MOVERS, target
intercept grid coordinates 100995.
FRANK
Thanks old buddy.
MAX
We’ll pick you up.
FRANK
No, I have to finish something.
There is a finality in Franks voice, Max reads it.
MAX
Good luck my friend.
FRANK
You know the drill.
ON MAX CLOSE, his face reads like some secret code has
passed between he and Frank. He reaches into his pocket and
takes out a cell phone. Dialing we hear it pick up.
MAX
Op one put em to sleep.
EXT. AIR FORCE BASE RUNWAY - DAY
Two F-16’s scream down the tarmac and zoom into the air.
EXT. ABDUL’S POSITION - DAY
Abdul has intercepted Frank’s transmission and has been
listening. He steps back to his LAND ROVER he opens the back
hatch. There in the back is a large military type radio.
He puts on his headphones and turns the receiver dial. It
whines on, he clears his voice. Then in his best Southern
accent he picks up the mic and speaks.
ABDUL
(long Southern drawl)
Tango Lima Charlie Grid update.
71.
INT. F-16 FIGHTER COCKPIT - DAY
The Pilot maneuvers his jet with confident ease. Abdul’s
filtered voice comes over his radio headset.
ABDUL (V.O.)
Base actual FRAGO, grid target
reference L109200 l40023.
(pause)
Over.
PILOT
Roger that.
EXT. F-16 FIGHTERS - DAY
The two F-16’s veer off, changing direction and zoom away.
INT. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT - NIGHT
Momentary relief on Franks and Rob’s face. Standing, Frank
goes to look out the window.
FRANK
Strange the power is still on.
ROB
Some guy try to knock it out with a
shotgun.
FRANK
That was just aberrant behavior.
Frank turning.
FRANK
No, this is an army, with Generals.
ROB
Come on, your fucking kidding me?
FRANK
No I’m not, the episodes you’ve had
were probes. Scouts looking for
weakness.
ROB
What we just came through, probes?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 72.
FRANK
Yes, that was nothing compared to
what’s coming.
DEIZE
(puzzled)
What is you talking about?
Then the lights go out. Complete darkness.
FRANK
Their here.
Rob dashes for his gun cabinet and takes out several rifles.
He loads up on ammunition and tosses a rifle to Frank.
FRANK
Lot of good these are gonna do.
ROB
Well if more people are infected.
DEIZE
Sheriff I’m scared.
ROB
Me too, go home, get your kids and
get the hell out of here.
Rob hands her a pistol Deize understands and leaves.
INT. WALLS AND APPLIANCES - NIGHT
The ants begin to gnaw at wires circuit boards, micro-chips
everything that makes modern life possible. Taking out
lights and the electrical supply.
INT. CLINIC - NIGHT
Ally is sitting up alert and conscious. Brandon is drinking
a coke. Frank and Rob come through the door, guns in hand.
Rob hugs Ally.
ROB
Hey Baby you okay?
ALLY
Fine what happened?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 73.
ROB
Not now.
Frank approaches Cat, a tender, if not awkward moment.
FRANK
Sorry about all this.
CAT
I would be angry if I could
remember the circumstances.
FRANK
You really don’t remember anything?
CAT
No, really.
FRANK
Our marriage, our Son.
CAT
All I feel is a deep hole and
nothing can fill it.
Frank drops down into the sofa looking defeated. Cat senses
his dismay. His eyes meet Cat’s, he looks soulful, open. She
stares at him. He rocks back and forth, coming apart inside.
CAT
This is not the game plan?
FRANK
I never thought-
CAT
What did you think would happen?
People act out on revenge.
FRANK
This is all my fault.
Frank is teetering on the edge of sanity.
FRANK
We were going to make the world
safe again.
CAT
It never was Frank.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 74.
FRANK
My son, our son. Me and my high and
mighty ideals Truth Justice and the
American way and what happened we
draped him in the Red White and
Blue and buried him. He died for
nothing Cat.
Cat finally relents and goes to kneel beside him.
CAT
It won’t be for nothing if you can
turn this off.
FRANK
Abdul was the expert.
CAT
Surely you saw progress reports.
Frank is holding something back we sense it.
FRANK
Didn’t Deize say something about a
murder.
CAT
Yes a little boy was infected and
killed his mother.
FRANK
Maybe, if we examine the scene we
can learn something.
ROB
Okay, but we all go together.
EXT. BILLY’S HOME - NIGHT
The neighborhood is eerily quiet and dark. None of the night
summer sounds of crickets and tree frogs. The glow from the
forest fire lights up the distant sky.
The Jeep wheels into the drive. Cat’s car follows and parks
on the curb. Cat steps out with her medical bag. She leans
back into window.
75.
INT. CAT’S CAR - NIGHT
Brandon and Ally sit huddled in the back seat. Cat leans
into window.
CAT
You two stay put.
INT. BILLY’S HOME - NIGHT
Rob inches the door open with his gun, his flashlight breaks
the darkness. He steps in cautiously, Frank right behind
him.
Up the front hall they go, coming across the bloody corpse
of Anne. Her head has been pulverized. Rob chokes back the
sensation to throw up.
Into bedroom they go. Billy lies on the bed completely
cocooned in a spiders web. Spiders click all around him.
Alerted to the presence of humans they form up like a
protective barrier over the body.
ROB
Christ almighty.
Billy moans. Cat can’t stand to see the child in agony she
bolts forward. Rob tries to stop her.
ROB
No wait.
She doesn’t stop. As she gets to the bed the spiders part
like the red sea. Like she has some sort repellent on.
FRANK
Would you look at that.
ROB
That happened once before.
FRANK
Where?
ROB
When were examining the old Bum. He
threw up a hoard of Wasps and they
just hovered in front of Cat.
Frank is studying the spider behavior. An off look from Rob.
Cat kneels by the boy trying everything. Billy is as good as
dead and she knows it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 76.
She strokes his head like mothers do.
CAT
Shush it’ll be alright.
ROB
Cat, come on, there’s nothing we
can do for him.
Cat jerks around her eyes are flame.
CAT
No this is the beginning!
ROB
Cat whoa what’s going on?
Cat stands with the ire of a she bear. She shoves Rob with
such force it sends him to the floor.
CAT
This is pure blood, innocent, no
hate not jaded by the toils of
life.
FRANK
Cat are you in there?
Rob is way confused by this whole scenario.
ROB
Frank, Cat, what’s going on fellas?
FRANK
(to Rob)
Grab her Medical bag.
Rob does as he’s told. Cat continues to move in undeterred.
Rob keeps her at bay with his rifle pointed at her. Rob
hands the bag to Frank. He calmly combs through it and finds
what he needs. Taking a syringe he fills it with Demerol.
FRANK
Grab her.
Rob Grabs Cat and Frank plunges the syringe into her arm.
Cat goes limp.
ROB
What was that about?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 77.
FRANK
Remember when I said the experiment
was altered.
ROB
Yes.
FRANK
Abdul used human memory engrams.
ROB
What?
FRANK
He used Cat’s DNA to re-write the
Bugs behavior. A hybrid brain,
human and Wasp. That’s why they can
talk, they can think. They are now
connected telepathically.
ROB
And they know cell phones are a
threat.
FRANK
That paints a target on almost
everyone.
ROB
The wasps seemed larger.
FRANK
Every generation born, inherits the
traits and mannerisms of the host.
ROB
And you put Cat through this!?
FRANK
No I knew nothing about till Abdul
showed me what he did. He seduced
and abducted her. She was never in
any auto accident. He ripped her
memory away from her.
ROB
Why her?
FRANK
He needed female DNA and because
she was my wife.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 78.
ROB
I would feel sorry for you, but
your as guilty as he is.
FRANK
Save your accusations.
ROB
What’s the plan.
FRANK
This may work both ways. She may be
able to tap into them.
Crash! a rock comes hurling through the window. Rob runs to
the front. From his POV we see a small mob of angry infected
people. Their faces pock marked with the same pustules.
Yelling they move towards the house. We hear Brandon and
Ally calling out.
INT. JEEP - NIGHT
Brandon and Ally cower in Cat’s car, they lock the doors.
The mob surges on them. One man has a bat and starts
smashing at the windows. We hear him scream!
MAN
Get out of here!
Others cry out!
We’re gonna Kill You
Bastards!
Murderers!
INT. BILLY’S HOUSE - NIGHT
Rob cracks the front door. Frank holding Cat, brings up the
rear.
ROB
They’re surrounding the car.
FRANK
Your gonna have to kill them.
ROB
Those are my friends out there.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 79.
FRANK
Not anymore.
Then gunshots ring out. A bullet ricochets off the door
well. Frank motions for Rob to take Cat. He hands her off to
him.
FRANK
Take her and get out of here.
ROB
What are you going to do?
FRANK
They won’t bother you because of
her. This fight is between me and
Abdul. Where would you hold up?
ROB
Taylor’s Ridge it overlooks the
town. Why?
FRANK
Okay that’s where I’m going.
ROB
Wait, that’s it, you want me to
leave the town to just die?
FRANK
I’ll take care of it.
Frank retrieves Cats medical bag and gets her Car Keys.
ROB
Gas that’s it, isn’t it.
Frank gives him an understanding look.
ROB
Put the town to sleep then your
medical techs can do what needs to
be done.
FRANK
Your smart, and you love this town.
ROB
Right, Ready?
80.
EXT. BILLY’S HOME - NIGHT
Frank and Rob step gingerly onto the Front porch. Rob
cradles Cat in his arms. The mob goes silent. Rob and Frank
move to their vehicles. The Mob steps aside in hushed
silence. Frank takes out some nerve gas canisters and places
in a ruck sack.
He opens the door to Cat’s car. Brandon and Ally get out
cautiously.
FRANK
(to Ally)
Go with your Dad.
Frank’s fatherly eyes say it all.
FRANK
Take care of him.
Rob places the unconscious Cat in the front seat and Calls
out to the kids.
ROB
Come on!
The smoke is getting thicker from the approaching fire.
Frank throws the nerve gas in the back seat. Close on his
tire well we see ants crawling in mass to the exhaust pipe.
Frank cranks it up and speeds away.
BRANDON
Did he just take the nerve gas?
ROB
I think so.
BRANDON
Hows he gonna use it? He hasn’t got
a suit.
ROB
I don’t think it matters to him
anymore.
INT. FRANK’S CAR - NIGHT
As he speeds up the mountaintop Frank seems in deep
reflection, a tear comes to his eye. The radio bleeps, we
just know who it is. He picks it up and presses the
receiver. Over it, comes Abdul’s the low menacing voice.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 81.
FRANK
Yeah.
ABDUL (V.O.)
My friend we are two of a kind.
FRANK
I’m nothing like you.
ABDUL (V.O.)
Yes, we are both driven by our
passions.
FRANK
I wanted to put an end to young
people dieing on the battlefield.
ABDUL (V.O.)
So do I my friend, and we have
accomplished that.
Frank an UH OH! moment.
FRANK
What do you mean?
ABDUL (V.O.)
A change of orders to the F-16’s
(beat)
They’re heading in the wrong
direction. And the C-130 is going
west when it drops it’s bomb the
world will go into nuclear alert.
War will end because man will.
FRANK
Your mad.
ABDUL (V.O.)
We both are.
Click. Frank slams the radio down on the seat. He drives on
determined. We drift down into the engine. Ants are crawling
all over the electrical wiring. Sparks starts to fly as the
engine sputters and stalls.
The Car finally dies. Frank beats the steering wheel and
realizes the situation.
82.
EXT. CAR - NIGHT
Frank steps out fast and grabs the nerve gas. The ants are
all over his feet, he dashes into the woods.
INT. JEEP - NIGHT
Cat lays her head to one side of the seat starting to stir.
She wakes startled and confused.
CAT
What?
ROB
Careful, easy.
CAT
I had a terrible dream.
ROB
Tell me.
CAT
I was surrounded by Wasps and being
smothered in honey.
ROB
How much do you remember, from the
accident?
CAT
Not much just a blinding white
light. Then I woke in the hospital.
ROB
Was Frank there?
CAT
No some Doctor, he looked middle
eastern I think his name was
Haikiem.
She then notices the swelling on her arm from the shot. The
fire is closing in on them outside.
ROB
I have to explain something.
83.
EXT. WOODS FRANKS POSITION - DAY
Frank soldiers on through the terrain. Storm clouds are
quickly rolling in. He reaches a downed tree, pausing to
sling his satchel over his back he crawls over it.
Then out of the blue he’s stung by one of the Wasps on the
neck. He reels in the excruciating pain. For a moment he
glimpses the Queen as she speeds off, her handiwork done.
FRANK
Oh shit!
The point of the sting throbs, the deadly larvae are already
pulsing inside him. He wobbles trying to maintain control.
From his minds eye we see insect like vision of people,
familiar faces like Cat, Rob and Abdul. Burning red washes
over them. We hear the sounds of the fire and nature like
never before, in crystal clarity.
A Buzzing noise is present. Frank drops to his knees we hear
the voice of the Queen running through his head.
QUEEN (V.O.)
We are one.
FRANK
I understand.
Then with shear force of will, he stands and shakes his
head.
FRANK
(to himself)
Must maintain control.
QUEEN (V.O.)
Must protect.
FRANK
No!
The mind control of the Wasp larvae is strong. But Frank
fights it, his will is stronger, for now.
He moves on, determined to win.
84.
INT. JEEP - DAY
Cat winces in pain, she gasps, grabbing her temple.
CAT
Oh God!
ROB
What’s the matter?
CAT
It’s happening again. Frank he’s in
trouble.
Rob pulls the jeep over. Cat goes into a catatonic fugue.
CAT
I can see him in my minds eye. I
get it now. He is one of us,
everything will be clear to him.
Our hive will grow, man needs not
to worry.
ROB
Cat, Cat! Snap out of it.
He shakes her.
CAT
You cannot stop us.
Rob takes a more direct approach and slugs her hard. It
seems to do the trick.
CAT
What?
ROB
You started to drift off.
CAT
It’s getting stronger. Every time
they sting, infect a person or
animal the wasps inherit their
emotions and memories. They all
become part of the hive. I don’t
think I will be able to resist it
much longer.
Rob’s wheels are turning his country boy common sense
kicking in.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 85.
ROB
Then don’t.
CAT
Are you crazy?
ROB
No, but you are.
He and Cat share a laugh as Ally and Brandon stare at them
like they’ve lost their minds.
CAT
It will put you and the kids in
danger.
ROB
No, don’t you see, we can lure them
away from the town.
Then out of the blue. The Fire Truck driven by the infected
fireman races towards them. Siren blaring.
It comes up fast and hits the jeep spinning it around.
ROB
Shit fuck!
CAT
I’m getting a little scared now!
Rob cranks up the Jeep. Then the chase is on. Back up into
the mountains.
CAT
We’re going the wrong way.
ROB
I know.
Ahead a sign that reads ROAD CLOSED FOR REPAIRS. Rob blasts
through it, the fire truck in hot pursuit.
ROB
There’s a big work trench ahead.
CAT
(frantic)
Your going to wreck?
ROB
No, just the Fire Truck.
Cat drifting again, we here the buzzing noise in her head.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 86.
CAT
They’re coming.
EXT. TOWN - NIGHT
The Wasps and other insects are swarming everywhere. Things
are starting to come unglued. When all of a sudden they go
quiet, like they are listening. They form up and start to
dissipate and move off.
EXT. FRANK’S POSITION - NIGHT
Frank sweats profusely, struggling for every breath and
step. He’s in agony the pain excruciating. He stops for a
moment. Close on his eyes we see him thinking.
FRANK
(to himself)
Good! Good. No you have not won.
We get that he knows Cat has figured it out. She is the
source of their salvation.
EXT. ABDUL’S POSITION - NIGHT
Abdul watches on his phone as the Wasps Bugs, infected
animals and people move off. Clearly this angers him.
ABDUL
NO!, NO!, NO!
Over the phone comes the voice of the Queen.
QUEEN (V.O.)
The Creator is in trouble.
ABDUL
No, she is not.
QUEEN (V.O.)
Must help.
INT. JEEP - NIGHT
WHAM! the Fire Truck hits again,
ROB
Firemen have protective gear and
oxygen masks. We can use the nerve
gas.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 87.
Ahead we see the work ditch fast approaching. Rob is playing
chicken. At the last minute he swerves to avoid it. The Fire
Truck slams into it like a sledge hammer. The Fire man is
thrown through the windshield. He lands face first into the
pavement breaking his neck.
Rob Backs up the Jeep he and Cat get out. They break open
the side door of the truck and gather the gear and oxygen
tanks.
But there is only three masks and tanks. Rob seems lost for
words. Then it just comes out, he goes into a fit, cursing
at God and nature.
He bellows to the heavens.
ROB
Gawd Dammit who’s fucking side are
you on. You take my wife destroy my
town, I’m trying here and you keep
pushing me down.
Cat feels his rage and empathizes.
EXT. DEIZE’S HOME - DAY
Deize and her children are desperately packing their van.
The smoke is hanging low from the encroaching fire. Storm
clouds are rapidly moving in, and it looks to be a big blow.
She hurries them to get in.
INT. DEIZE’S VAN - DAY
Then a woman comes running up and plows into the back of the
van. She is sick and bloated frothing at the mouth. Deize
and her children scream in horror.
Then BAM a shot gun blast disintegrates the woman’s head.
Behind her a is a gun wielding man. He seems uninfected and
cries out to Deize.
MAN
No wait, I’m okay.
Relieved Deize rolls down the window. She recognizes him.
DEIZE
Ed you Okay?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 88.
ED
I think so.
DEIZE
Get in.
Ed squeezes in. Deize struggles to get the keys in the
ignition. The kids cry for her to hurry. Finally she cranks
it and slams it into reverse. She puts it in gear and tears
down the street.
Like most people in Hickory she has an old style CB radio.
She picks up the receiver.
EXT. JEEP - DAY
Rob still thinking. Then Deize’s voice screams over the
radio. Rob dashes and picks it up.
ROB
Go ahead Deize.
DEIZE (V.O.)
Oh Sheriff the town is going crazy.
ROB
Slow down tell me what you see.
Deize eases back on the accelerator, taking notice of the
situation through honest eyes.
DEIZE (V.O.)
It’s gone quiet.
ROB
(to Cat)
It’s working I think they’re
coming!
INT. DEIZE’S VAN - NIGHT
The town is quieter. We hear a few sobbing sounds. The smoke
is heavy in the air. It’s still not good.
DEIZE
The Fire is closing in.
ROB (V.O.)
This is what you do. Get back to
the Station. Call the CDC.
89.
EXT. FRANK’S POSITION/JEEP - NIGHT
Frank has overheard the conversation and breaks in.
FRANK
(into Radio)
This is Ultimate One.
ROB
Go ahead Frank.
Cat grabs the receiver.
CAT
Are you alright?
FRANK
Not really. Listen Abdul will be
jamming the Frequency he has some
sort of high output gear up there
I’ll have to take it out.
ROB
I had a plan to use the gas, but I
have only three protective suits.
FRANK
Don’t worry. Just keep leading them
this way.
CAT
I’m so sorry.
FRANK
Don’t be. This has one advantage we
can understand one another now.
Cat gently hands the mic to Rob.
EXT. TAYLOR’S RIDGE - NIGHT
Abdul stands on a rock ledge overlooking the town like some
sort of Wagnerian God. Frank stumbles into the clearing, the
noise alerts Abdul. He turns around and sees Frank on his
knees writhing in pain.
ABDUL
Ah! Glad you could join me.
FRANK
This is between you and me.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 90.
ABDUL
It was never about you and me it’s
about Man and his need for
violence.
Abdul sounds like some prophetic monk, his voice is lonely
and desperate.
ABDUL
You can’t stop war it’s an
infection that runs deep in our
DNA.
FRANK
We can choose to ignore the urge.
ABDUL
Really, like your son, or mine?
Killed by the same disease, war.
His words do not fall on deaf ears, what he says is true and
Frank knows it.
FRANK
Maybe it’s our fault, we made war
easy like a video game, never
realizing the anguish, till it hit
us personally.
ABDUL
Teach our children to be brothers?
FRANK
Something like that.
ABDUL
It’s been tried my friend and it
didn’t work.
(beat)
We’re at the dawn of a new age. The
Wasps will replace us but our
essence will go on in them, in
peace.
FRANK
There’s a flaw in your logic.
Frank manages to get to his feet, against all odds.
ABDUL
No, it’s perfect.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 91.
FRANK
Will they not inherit our bad
traits as well?
An irritated Abdul screams and rushes at Frank. The two men
lock in mortal combat. Shear rage and hatred driving them
on. Thick clouds roll in overhead, as a storm lets loose.
Frank lands hard right to Abdul’s jaw. Blood spurts from a
busted lip. Abdul counters, connecting in a quick flurry of
punches.
Frank tumbles to the ground, Abdul lunges for him. They roll
off onto a rocky ledge perched high above the canyon floor.
Precariously, they dance their deadly dual. Each man trying
to gain the advantage.
Frank’s eye is almost swollen shut. Abdul picks up a large
rock and screams as he throws it at Frank. Frank barely
dodges it, he then round kicks Abdul in the face.
FRANK
That was for Tristan!
Abdul quickly recovers, another round kick sends Frank
reeling.
The sky has grown even darker a thunderclap then lightening.
The two men stand atop the precipice like two angry Gods of
war. If they could harness lighten bolts and hurl them at
one another it wouldn’t be surprising.
ABDUL
You think you can enact your morals
on me!
FRANK
You have none!
ABDUL
See how your world dies!
Frank flies at him grabbing him around the gut and slinging
him to the ground. His hands wrap around Abdul’s throat.
Abdul gasping for air.
ABDUL
By your own creation!
Frank has the look of a demon in his eyes they almost seem
red. Thunder roars ever louder and lightening flashes all
around. The whole scene is primal and surreal two modern
Neanderthals bent on each others destruction.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 92.
Frank is astride Abdul’s chest as he squeezes ever harder.
FRANK
(screaming)
We didn’t start it!
Then a spasm from Frank’s gut. The Wasp larvae inside him
are churning to get out. He grows pale the power of the
larvae serum surging through his veins is enormous.
We see white flashes from his minds eye. We hear the voice
of the Queen and chorus of the hive speak to him.
QUEEN (V.O.)
We are one, be still.
Frank falls back off Abdul in agony, he grabs his temple.
FRANK
No! Stop it! Get Out!
INT. JEEP - NIGHT
Cat is wild eyed in her minds eye she sees what’s going on
rage is building in her. She sweats profusely like an addict
going through withdrawals. Her breath is short, she speaks,
but her voice is different, magnified like many voices.
CAT
Do not resist.
Rob an off look, he sees and hears the change.
ROB
Cat focus, remember.
CAT
(coming out of it)
They’re strong I feel them.
ROB
What’s it like?
CAT
Thousands of minds together.
ROB
Think about Frank.
CAT
He’s in real trouble, hurry.
93.
EXT. TAYLOR’S RIDGE - NIGHT
Rain is pouring down in buckets. We see the fire being
abated in the distance. Frank is writhing in the mud. Abdul
circles him like a predator relishing in his victory.
FRANK
You won’t get away with it.
ABDUL
Your so simple sometimes.
FRANK
No you are.
The heavy torrents of rain are quickly putting out the fire.
Over the gusts of wind we hear the low drone of a large prop
engine. Abdul looks up surprised. In the darkness white
puffs of parachutes appear.
EXT. TOWN - NIGHT
Large gas canisters of of CO-2 hit the pavement with a
crack. They burst open spewing a white cloud of gas. People
and animals fall unconscious.
EXT. TAYLOR’S RIDGE - NIGHT
Abdul takes his binoculars and watches the scene.
ABDUL
So your killing everybody?
FRANK
No just putting them to sleep.
ABDUL
That will accomplish nothing.
FRANK
Maybe, but I’ve buried my hate I’m
gonna try and save those people.
You tried to manipulate this but
words between friends can act as a
code.
ABDUL
Your speaking in riddles.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 94.
FRANK
I had another contingency. General
Taylor knew about it.
EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - NIGHT
Rob’s jeep flies up the mountain road. It swerves back and
forth in the mud soaked road.
INT. JEEP - NIGHT
The torrent of rain makes visibility hard. Rob strains to
see through the streaks of rain. Cat is on high alert, she
spots the two men. From her POV we see Abdul hovering over
Frank.
CAT
There they are.
Seeing them, Rob speeds on.
EXT. TAYLOR’S RIDGE - NIGHT
The Jeep barely makes it, sputtering to a muddy stop. Cat
jumps from the vehicle Rob follows suite.
She runs to Frank’s aide.
CAT
(to Frank)
I’m here.
ABDUL
You still can’t stop the bomb.
FRANK
(struggling)
No, but she can.
Abdul’s eyes get as large as hen’s eggs. Cat stands
defiantly. The thunder bellows the wind howls, as rain whips
across her face.
CAT
Yes, I know what you did.
ABDUL
(flippant)
Think of it as a gift. You can
control them all.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 95.
FRANK
I’m gonna kill you.
With His body racked with pain Frank manages to pull his
gun.
ABDUL
The pain is horrible I know.
FRANK
Bastard!
Frank convulses again, his back arcs in pain, he screams in
agony. Then it happens, his chest bursts open and the fully
formed Wasps rush out. Cat screams at the sight, Rob rushes
to her side.
CAT
Frank!
The swarm hovers over Frank’s lifeless body. They move
towards Abdul. He reacts quickly, pulling out his cell phone
punching in some numbers it emanates a slight sound.
Repulsing the Swarm, it effects Cat as well, she falls to
her knees.
Rob glances around for an opportunity to strike. He reaches
for his pistol, nothing there.
He then spies Franks gun lying in the mud but Abdul does
too. Abdul grabs it up and levels it at Rob. Abdul continues
to press the send button on the phone, keeping the Wasps at
bay. Cat writhes in pain.
CAT
Stop it!
ABDUL
I will my love as soon as I get to
my car. We must see this through
man must die.
BRANDON
Then lets all go together!
In a brash move, Brandon has stepped from the jeep holding a
nerve gas canister.
ROB
Put that away!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 96.
ABDUL
Do as he says son.
BRANDON
I’m not your son!
Then BAM! A gunshot rings out catching Abdul in the
shoulder. He drops the phone and stumbles back in disbelief.
Ally stands there holding the smoking gun.
ALLY
Asshole!
Abdul runs for his land rover and gets in fast just ahead of
the Wasps. He cranks the vehicle and spins out of there.
Rob helps Cat her rage is up! She concentrates hard and the
swarm moves off into the night.
EXT. SKY - NIGHT
The C-130 carrying the bomb is buffeted by the violent
storm. Through the mist and rain we see a black blob moving
towards it.
Closer we realize it’s millions of Wasps, flies and almost
any other flying insect. The blob moves fast, it catches up
with the plane and envelopes it.
We hear the engines start to sputter as they are clogged by
the insects.
INT. C-130 - NIGHT
The two PILOTS struggle with their craft, alarms sound and
instruments start to wink out.
PILOT
I’m losing her!
INT. COMMAND CENTER - NIGHT
Harkin listens to the distress calls from the plane.
PILOT (V.O.)
We have lost all engines!
HARKIN
Damn!
97.
Then outside the open hanger a low buzzing noise. It alerts
Harkin and the others. Then they see it, animals and the
swarm of Wasps moving towards them. Before they can react
the hoard is on them, killing everyone.
EXT. C-130 - NIGHT
Finally all engines are silent, the mighty plane rolls over
on it’s belly and takes a nose dive into the side of a
mountain. Destroying it in a massive fireball.
EXT. TAYLOR’S RIDGE - NIGHT
In Cat’s minds eye we see the plane disintegrate. She falls
to her knees exhausted.
Rob runs to Ally’s aide and hugs her all over. Brandon not
believing he had the courage to do what he did, almost
passes out. He sits down in the mud and lets the rain pelt
him in the face.
INT. LAND ROVER - NIGHT
Abdul bleeds profusely from his wound. He no longer looks
like the man in charge. From the back of his vehicle the
large radio crackles on. We hear and insect like voice but
it’s different almost manly it’s not the Queen.
VOICE (O.S.)
We are one now.
Abdul looks back in the faint glow of his tail lights. He
sees the Swarm of Wasps approaching.
VOICE (O.S.)
We are one, but not you!
We get the feeling this is Frank’s consciousness coming
through the Wasps.
On Abdul’s face a realization as well.
EXT. LAND ROVER - NIGHT
Abdul’s Rover swerves as it speeds down the muddy road.
Abdul looses control and flips the Land Rover over.
Dragging himself from the vehicle he stands and readies
himself for whats coming. The swarm and animals pounce
killing him.
98.
EXT. TAYLOR RIDGE CAT AND ROBS POSITION - NIGHT
In the distance, the sound of Abdul’s death throws. Cat,
Rob, Brandon and Ally share a look. Rob snuggles Ally
everyone is exhausted by the ordeal.
Rob hears the radio squawking he gives Ally over to Brandon.
Walking quickly to the jeep he pics up the mic.
ROB
This is Rob.
On the Other end we hear General Taylor’s voice.
EXT. HICKORY/TAYLOR’S RIDGE - NIGHT
General Taylor is in a Bio Hazard suit. Other Troops, also
in Bio suits, are parachuting in. We see Medical Vans and
personnel everywhere. They are collecting the unconscious
townspeople onto stretchers and toting them off.
MAX
We have your town secured.
Rob half smiles, but doesn’t quite understand.
ROB
I see but?
MAX
Your people are safe we are taking
them into surgery to remove the
larvae and treating them with an
antidote that will eliminate any
lingering effects.
ROB
I still don’t understand.
MAX
Frank leveled with me that he’d
gone too far with the program. He
Asked me to come up with a solution
if things went south.
ROB
We still have a problem.
Max knows this we read it on his face. Cat comes up behind
Rob.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 99.
MAX
True enough.
Cat takes up the mic.
CAT
No sir we don’t.
Some static comes over the radio drowning out General Taylor
and another voice interdicts.
VOICE (O.S.)
Come to me Babe.
ROB
Babe?
CAT
That’s what Frank called me.
VOICE (O.S.)
He is part of us now.
CAT
We have to stop this.
VOICE (O.S.)
Do what you must.
She releases the receiver, we get what she is about to do
ROB
No you can’t.
CAT
I have too. I’m the key without me
they have no direction, no focus.
ROB
Maybe we can reach an
understanding. A truce.
Cat puts a finger to his lips to stop talking.
CAT
It’ll be okay.
Rob knows she’s right but doesn’t want to accept it. He and
the kids don the protective fire man suits and gas masks.
Rob heaves the oxygen tanks on their backs.
Cat’s sympathetic eyes follow their every move. His eyes are
full of tears as he hands her the bag of nerve gas.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 100.
Rob want’s to say something but can’t. He hugs her not
wanting to let go. Cat pulls away and backs towards the
ridge. She lifts up her arms and goes into a trance like
state concentrating hard.
Rob and the kids turn to leave they see all the animals in
the forest moving up towards them. The animals growl and
hiss at the three as they pass, but do not attack.
Wasps are as thick as molasses. Spiders, and ants trudge
onwards. All of life in the forest is moving to Cat’s
position her call being answered.
EXT. CAT’S POSITION - NIGHT
The rain has stopped from her POV the Animals and insects
are getting closer.
CAT
Come to me.
She waits till they are almost on top of her. She takes one
of the Nerve Gas Bombs pops the seal and hurls it into the
herd of animals. She holds her breath as she hurls one
grenade after another.
The animals start to choke and die, Wasps, flies and
mosquitoes drop from the air dying. Ant’s and spiders halt
in their tracks and curl up and die. The nerve gas is
everywhere finally her task done, Cat exhales.
The Gas fills her lungs blisters form on her skin.
EXT. ROBS POSITION - DAY
As Rob watches, somehow his and Cats eyes meet. Ally hugs
her father, it is almost unbearable for her.
CLOSE ON CAT’S FACE
Tears start to trickle down her face, she coughs and heaves
then collapses dead. All around her are the carcasses of the
dead animals covered with the dead and dying insects.
The Gas hangs low, settling over everything. Rob hangs his
head low, no words are spoken he turns and heads off back
down the mountain.
101.
INT. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT - DAY
Some time has passed, Rob looks out the window at a town
trying to put itself back together. He sips a cup of coffee
somewhat confident.
A reporter is on the TV making a broadcast.
CLOSE ON TV
A reporter dressed in casual attire holding a microphone
reports from Taylor’s ridge. Behind him bulldozers are
cleaning up the thousands of carcasses of animals and
insects.
REPORTER
officials aren’t saying what the
exact cause of the all animal
fatalities is. But initial findings
indicate a load of nerve gas was
inadvertently dropped during some
sort of military exercise. In other
news Senator Harkin’s funeral was
attended by two former Presidents’
hailing him as one of the champions
on the war on terror.
Then the reporter swats at something and exclaims. One of
his crew questions him.
CREW (O.S.)
What happened.
REPORTER
Some damn Wasp just stung me.
Rob whirls and looks at the screen. The dispatch radio comes
on and we hear a Voice, it sounds like Cat but insect like.
CAT (V.O.)
We are one.
Rob stares at the radio.
EXT. FIELD - DAY
A warm spring day, flowers are blooming. The sky is a clear
cerulean blue. The sun is high and bright. We move across
the canopy of natures most brilliant colors. The air is
crisp, it is a paradise.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 102.
Close on a small clump of daffodils, a Wasp comes into the
frame. Similar to the ones earlier, but not as aggressive.
It goes about it’s business pollinating the flowers.
It then lazily moves off. Following it, we pass a car. It is
half buried in dirt, the more cars and the familiar city
scape of Hickory. But it’s different, weeds and foliage
cover the buildings. Grass grows where there once was a
street.
But this city hasn’t seen any occupation for years if not
centuries. The Wasp passes by a rusted faded sign that reads
HICKORY CITY LIMITS.
We pass by this moving further away, coming across more
cities. We see New York, the STATUE OF LIBERTY covered in
Ivy, cows and horses grazing around it. Chicago, the SEARS
TOWER, gutted, with birds flying in and out of broken
windows.
There is nothing but the sounds of nature and the wind. The
noise of 6 billion human souls is gone. Their reign is over
and a new one has begun.
The Wasp Queen stops mid frame, hanging there for a moment
then quickly flits away. Over this we read.
This how the world ends,
This is how the world ends,
Not with a bang, but a whimper.
Poet Unknown.
FADE OUT